Skating vs skating with contact is significantly different. Testing how that knee holds up with little bump, etc is a significant hurdle. Not to mention he probably has a brace which probably limits mobility and takes time to get used to.
Then there is the mental aspect of coming back from that injury. Blais isn't a finesse player. He gets in the trenches and everyone on Tampa knows what his injury is.
Should I say thank you for posting the obvious about injury recovery?
All I said is he has been skating for weeks when you made it sound like people are just suggesting he skated this morning and now he should be immediately put into the lineup. If his knee isn't healthy for contact than he would be wearing a no contact jersey in practice, dont be silly.
As I posted earlier I am just curious IF a lineup spot opens up if they would turn to hunt, rooney, or blais. It obviously depends which spot it is, but the fact you can even consider this now is interesting.