GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Team Sweden defenseman Anton Stralman said he's feeling better after spending the offseason rehabbing and strengthening his broken left leg.
The 30-year-old blueliner for the Tampa Bay Lightning broke the leg on March 25.
"I feel good," Stralman said after Tuesday's practice in preparation for the World Cup of Hockey. "I was a little bit worried there starting preseason not knowing how it was going to react, or if it was going to limit me on any exercises or anything like that but it went well. It answered well to everything I threw at it, so it's been a good preseason. Obviously, I was a little bit behind strength-wise with my legs, so I'll try to work that out and get back in good shape."
Stralman missed the majority of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring because of the injury, but he was able to return for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Playing at an intense level to begin the season with the World Cup of Hockey should help him prepare for the NHL season.
"Absolutely," he said. "I was happy with how it responded and it feels good out on the ice too. It's just a matter of getting into game shape and the speed that you need."
Sweden coach Rikard Gronborg has been using different defensive pairings during the first two practices, but it's likely Stralman will be paired with teammate and regular-season partner Victor Hedman.