Miller Practices With Contact

King defenseman Aaron Miller practiced Monday with contact for the first time since sustaining a pinched nerve in his neck and shoulder area Dec. 10.

Miller has been cleared to play, but needs work on conditioning.

“I feel like I’ve got a piano on my back,” he said after practice. “Coming back from 11 weeks, you’re going to be a little tired.”

Miller could play this week, although Coach Andy Murray reserved judgment on an exact date for Miller’s return.

“Miller’s getting closer every practice,” Murray said. “He just needs some repetitions. Every practice ... he should prepare like he’s playing the next game.”

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Rookie defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, who had a minus-four rating in four games, was assigned to minor-league affiliate Manchester, N.H. Grebeshkov’s place in the lineup tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes will probably be taken by Jason Holland, who sat out four games because of a deep thigh bruise in his right leg.... Goaltender Milan Hnilicka was called up from Manchester and goaltender Mathieu Chouinard was sent down.