Bergeron giving it another try

WILMINGTON - From one perspective, the workouts Patrice Bergeron started this week - 6-12 minutes on an elliptical machine - are baby steps.

But even light workouts that keep his heart rate below 120 beats per minute are encouraging for a 22-year-old who's experienced some dark days since nearly breaking his neck Oct. 27.

Yesterday, while nine of his Bruins teammates skated through an optional practice at Ristuccia Arena, Bergeron completed a workout, sounding like a man uplifted by his return to exercise.

"In my mind, I feel more happy," he said. "I get to do more stuff now. With working out, it's something to look forward to the next day. You don't just get up, sit around, and stay in bed all day."

Bergeron has had plenty of those. After his first round of workouts was shut down because of recurring symptoms, he traveled to Aruba for a mental pick-me-up.

But his improving condition has been an even more effective salve as he keeps alive his hopes of returning this season.

"I'm not there," said Bergeron, out for 37 games, when asked if he's facing an imminent halt to his 2007-08 comeback attempt. "I'm still hoping. It feels better now. I'm staying on the positive side and trying to go with that. It feels good to be around the players again more often. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to be back on the ice this year."

Bergeron feels more comfortable on the elliptical machine than the stationary bike. He has been experiencing headaches and mild nausea, but doesn't think they're related to the workouts.

"It feels good to be back working out," said Bergeron. "It's a positive sign. I've still got symptoms - headaches - but nothing when I'm working out."

Alberts on the ice

Andrew Alberts, out since Dec. 15, skated on his own yesterday morning at Ristuccia. Alberts is scheduled to be evaluated Monday, when the team will determine whether he can increase the intensity of his workouts. If Alberts's condition has improved, he will be pushed harder by strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides, whose previous charges - Glen Murray (hip flexor), Aaron Ward (foot), and P.J. Axelsson (foot) - made immediate contributions after recovering from injuries.

As first reported by the Boston Herald, Alberts's headaches are a result of a neck injury, not a head injury as the club originally believed. Alberts had been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome symptoms, even though he passed all the tests required of players who have suffered head injuries.

"Now I know exactly what's wrong," he said.

Alberts is undergoing treatment to improve the alignment in his neck. He is also working out off the ice. But he said there's a 99 percent chance he will not join the team on its three-game trip next week to Carolina, Florida, and Tampa Bay.

Ward comes home

Ward, kept overnight in Pittsburgh after suffering a throat injury in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Penguins, returned to Boston yesterday afternoon. Ward was jabbed in the throat by defenseman Sergei Gonchar in the second period, a blow that left the defenseman on all fours, struggling to breathe and coughing up blood.

Coach Claude Julien said Ward was kept overnight because the team was concerned that flying home Wednesday night might affect his throat. He will be reevaluated today to determine his availability for tomorrow's game at Toronto. Ward has missed 11 games this season (concussion, ankle sprain, broken foot).

Schaefer not close

Peter Schaefer practiced but does not appear ready to return to action because of the left shin laceration and bone bruise he suffered Feb. 5 while blocking a shot. Stitches are holding the wound together, and Schaefer said some fluid builds up in the area. "It hurts just skating because of the pressure," said Schaefer, who has missed four games with the injury. Schaefer, however, said the fracture in his left foot has healed . . . General manager Peter Chiarelli said that at this time, there is no room on the team for Stanislav Chistov. The ex-Bruin, who left for Russia after last season, is in limbo after recently parting ways with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, his Russian Super League team. Chistov is still under suspension by the Bruins, who retain his NHL rights. Chistov, the fifth pick in the 2001 draft, scored 13 points in 60 games for Boston last season . . . On Wednesday, Axelsson was reunited with top-line forwards Marc Savard and Murray. "Just stay out of the way," Axelsson joked about his role . . . Even though Ward went down early in the second period, Julien limited Mark Stuart to 8:42 of ice time. "It's a situation where I think that Stuey's play has slipped a little bit," said Julien of Stuart, one of four Bruins to have appeared in every game. "He's not quite as comfortable as we've seen him. Sometimes you back guys off a little bit and give them a chance to get back into it. [Wednesday] night, it was just one of those games where you get pushed out a little bit. Then you get into those pressure situations where 2 points mean a lot. We know we have two days before the next game. So we weren't afraid to cut down on our bench, especially in the third period." . . . Chuck Kobasew (back) remains day to day. He will be reevaluated today.

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com.