News and Notes 1/5: Ward, and Ference Close to Return

Aaron Ward--Still listed as day-to-day. He will skate in tomorrow's morning skate and could be available tomorrow vs. the Wild. Claude Julien said that Ward was doing better and his range of motion is "pretty good.''

Marco Sturm--Expected to have surgery soon, perhaps this week. There will be no time table on Sturm even though it is likely that knee surgery would keep him out for the remainder of the season.

Andrew Ference--Ference was on the ice as one of seven Bruins defensemen (Lashoff in, Ward out). The Bruins may be targeting a Saturday return for Ference against the Hurricanes. I would expect Ferrence back by no later than next Tuesday against the Habs. Ference did leave the workout early today, however, Julien said it was a ''precautionary measure", but nothing more.

Patrice Bergeron--Nothing on Bergeron yet, and there probably won't be anytime soon.Claude Julien had this to say on Bergeron, "He's feeling better and every day I talk to him it seems to be going to the positive side," added Julien. "I'm just a little cautious, because sometimes there are setbacks and we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves."