Svechnikov hopes to be back by training camp for Hurricanes
Forward had knee surgery March 16, played in NHL All-Star Game
by Tom Gulitti @TomGulittiNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Andrei Svechnikov hopes to be ready for the start of training camp next season with the Carolina Hurricanes after having surgery March 16 to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
Speaking during the first intermission of a 2-1 win against the New York Islanders in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PNC Arena on Monday, the forward said the start of the window for his possible return would be around when training camp starts in September.
"The doctor said between six and nine months, but when I got injured it would be seven months to the new season (in October)," Svechnikov said. "So, hopefully I will be ready."
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Svechnikov was fourth on the Hurricanes with 55 points (23 goals, 32 assists) in 64 regular-season games and was selected to the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game for the first time.
Svechnikov was injured against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 11.
"Nothing serious happened, to be honest," Svechnikov said. "I was just pretty much skating and my knee went sideways and that's how I got injured. In [the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs] in the bubble, I sprained my ankle and I tore my MCL (and) I had a little bit of a tear in my ACL (too)."
Svechnikov's brother, Evgeny Svechnikov, tore his ACL while playing a preseason game for the Detroit Red Wings in 2018, so he has been leaning on him for his experience with the recovery.
"The surgery went good," Svechnikov said. "The doctors said everything went good. Obviously, the first couple weeks wasn't good. It was a little bit painful, but after that it was fine. I've been rehabbing and doing all the exercises and working out every day."