Richards skates today for first time, but still taking it step by step

Stars coach Marc Crawford confirmed after the game that Brad Richards skated today in Texas. It was the first time Richards has skated since being hit in the jaw Feb. 13 in a game against Columbus.

Richards has missed five games with concussion-like symptoms.

``He skated today, and I haven't heard anything else besides that,'' Crawford said. ``I think the news is good on him, and let's hope the news continues to be good. You hope we get another shot in the arm with the return of Brad and the return of Nick Grossman (at some point). You just have to be patient, because those are injuries where you just have to do what the medical people tell you.''

Grossman is out with a hip injury.