Good news for Hawks: No surgery for Havlat

The verdict is in. Martin Havlat's season is not over.

Havlat could be back in the Blackhawks' lineup in 4-6 weeks, or as soon as he regains the strength and range of motion in his injured right shoulder.

Rehab for the shoulder and not surgery was recommended by the majority of the five doctors who examined Havlat, who was injured in the Oct. 4 season opener at Minnesota.

"They're going to rehab the shoulder, and I'll try to be back as soon as possible," Havlat said Wednesday morning. "They told me around five or six weeks. If it's earlier that would be better, but that's the window the doctors, most of them, gave me. At least it's a little bit good news."

Havlat is skating on his own, but it likely will be weeks until he can practice again with contact.

"The shoulder feels better than last week, but I still can't move it the want I want to," Havlat said. "I need to get the strength back so I can do the things with the stick the way I want to."

Hawks coach Denis Savard was excited by the news that he would Havlat back in the lineup.

"It's been two weeks so he's going to rehab for another four and should be ready to go," Savard said. "That's what we're planning on, in four weeks to have him back in the lineup. It'll be nice."