Claude Giroux is back in North America, skating and training up in Ottawa as he did before signing with Eisbären Berlin back in early October. He's just about fully recovered from his neck/shoulder injury by all indications, or so it seems, but with the end of the lockout hopefully looming, it doesn't appear as though Claude has any plans on heading back to Germany.

Hockeyweb.de is the German outlet which first reported Giroux's injury. They caught up with Berlin coach Peter Lee, who says he doesn't expect Claude back soon. With help from Google Translate, we'll leave this unedited because it's funny:

"I am in constant contact with the agent of Claude Giroux Claude is now back fully fit and has begun the practice will, he hopes to continue on a short-term agreement between the players' union NHLPA with the NHL and is therefore. If only one train in Ottawa., the parties do not reach in North America, I go by a timely return from Claude Girouxs to Berlin. "

This is good news. We don't want Claude getting hurt, or even risking injury at this point even if he is 100 percent. Skate in Ottawa for another week or two and hopefully by then the lockout will be over and we'll be ready to play in Philadelphia.