VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) -- Peter Forsberg could be ready for the Philadelphia Flyers' season opener after testing his surgically repaired right ankle for the first time Tuesday.

Forsberg, who skated with some of his teammates, was originally told he needed surgery on both ankles to repair torn ligaments and wouldn't be able to return until January. Instead, only the right ankle needed to be repaired, and the Flyers star hopes to return for the start of training camp and the season opener.

"It's 10 more days, and even if I'm not ready at the beginning of training camp, hopefully I'll feel (well) enough to play at the beginning of the year," Forsberg said.

Forsberg, who took part in drills and participated in a scrimmage, was pleased to return to the ice much earlier than first anticipated.

"At first, I was going to (have surgery on) both (feet), and it was going to take a long, long time," Forsberg said. "And from going to missing half the year to right now in the beginning of camp, it is a great feeling.

"Obviously, I don't think I'm in as good a shape as I should be right now, but considering the surgeries and everything, I'm happy to be here and just get it going."

Forsberg has had ankle problems for about seven years. In May, he had torn ligaments repaired and several bones in his right ankle realigned. He was expected to have the same procedure on his left ankle when the right one healed.

"It's hard to say exactly how the foot feels," Forsberg said. "It's been one skate. You're not really killing yourself out there, and it's going to take some time to feel if the foot is 100 percent."

Forsberg had 19 goals and 75 points in his first season with the Flyers after leaving Colorado for a two-year, $11.5 million contract last summer.

Considered one of the world's best hockey players, Forsberg's impact in the lineup was obvious: Philadelphia was 35-16-9 with him and 10-10-2 without him.