Bruins practicing at Boston U as they wait for NHL lockout to officially end, season to start

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask smiles as he skates during an informal hockey practice session a day after the end of the NHL labor lockout, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, at Boston University in Boston. (AP Photo/The Boston Herald, Mark Garfinkel) BOSTON GLOBE OUT; METRO BOSTON OUT; MAGS OUT; ONLINE OUT (The Associated Press)

Boston Bruins' Tyler Seguin smiles as he skates during an informal hockey practice session a day after the end of the NHL labor lockout, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, at Boston University in Boston. (AP Photo/The Boston Herald, Mark Garfinkel) BOSTON GLOBE OUT; METRO BOSTON OUT; MAGS OUT; ONLINE OUT (The Associated Press)

A handful of Boston Bruins players were on the ice at Boston University Tuesday morning for an informal practice. The players are trying to keep in shape while they wait for the official end of the NHL lockout.

Defenseman Dennis Seidenberg returned from Germany on Monday and was with his teammates a day later. He is in better shape than most, having played in Europe during the work stoppage. Forward Milan Lucic says he felt like he needed the rest to recover from some nagging injuries. Now he knows he has some work to do to catch up.

NHL owners locked out the players before reaching an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement over the weekend. The league is expected to announce plans for a 48- or 50-game season starting Jan. 19.