Injury Report: Jarvis, Robinson Undergo Surgeries

RALEIGH, N.C. - For the first time in their several recent deep playoff runs, the Carolina Hurricanes made it to the finish line with their full roster available for game action. But after capturing the franchise's second Stanley Cup, the inevitable long list of bumps and bruises was headlined by two that required surgery.

Speaking to the media following the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday, General Manager Eric Tulsky revealed that Seth Jarvis (shoulder) and Eric Robinson (knee) have undergone procedures to repair their respective injuries.

Robinson is expected to return to action in around six to eight weeks, seemingly putting him on track to participate in September's training camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Jarvis' operation, meanwhile, was aimed at repairing a torn labrum and rotator cuff he sustained during the 2023-24 season, and carries a recovery timeline of "probably four to six months," with Tulsky hoping it would fall on "the shorter end" of that time frame.

The Canes' leading goal-scorer (32) during the 2025-26 regular season has managed the injury while still achieving his goals both in Carolina and with Team Canada on the international stage. But more intensive repairs are needed to allow him to reach full strength, even if they cost him a bit of time at the start of the new season.

"Shoulders are tough. Once it goes, you can keep aggravating it and limit what you can do... Eventually, it needs to be repaired," said Tulsky. "You can strengthen it and try to get through it, and he did that for a while. Last year, we had a deep run — if we had missed the playoffs last year, he probably would have had this last summer, I would guess. But we had a deep run, and he started looking at the timeline and didn't want to miss a big chunk of the season. Then we got to this year and had another deep run, and at some point, you just need to do it. You can't be limited for the rest of your career. You start thinking, 'maybe we're going to have deep runs every year,' just bite the bullet and get it done."

With Jarvis likely on the shelf come October, the door will open for someone new to step into the lineup for a spell.

On one hand, that could be a new face acquired in the coming days via draft, free agency, or trade. On the other hand, perhaps one of the team's standout young prospects who helped carry the Chicago Wolves to a Calder Cup Finals appearance earns an extended audition with the big club.

"We're looking at everything, of course. It's hard to say before July 1 what our lineup will look like on November 29... but there's a very real chance here that we end up with sort of an open spot in our lineup for a month or two for a young player to step in and get an opportunity to show what he can do," explained Tulsky.

Should the club look within its own ranks to fill Jarvis' role, one name that immediately jumps out is Bradly Nadeau. Carolina's most recent first-round selection joined the organization in 2023 and made his NHL debut under a year later. His first full pro season in 2024-25 culminated in him being named to both the AHL All-Rookie Team and the AHL Top Prospects Team, and last year saw him earn AHL All-Star recognition while skating in 12 games with the Canes, recording three goals.

Nadeau's been knocking on the door of the NHL — could he be ready to knock it down?

"He's been great in the (AHL). He had, sort of, two call-up stints this past year. I thought in the first one, he looked like someone who was acclimating for the first time. In the second one, he looked like someone who was acclimated. You could see the progression," praised the Canes' GM. "He absolutely will be in the conversation if we need a call-up at the start of the year. I think it would be a good opportunity for him to get some runway."

Refusing to get too far ahead of himself, though, Tulsky emphasized that Nadeau is just one of several options the team is considering when it comes to managing life without one of its top scorers.

"Nothing is promised to anyone. There's no guarantee that we will need someone because who knows what the roster will be. There is no guarantee who will win the spot — maybe we get to camp and see. But he absolutely looks ready and looks like someone who can, might, and probably will at some point, get a shot."