Jarvis Feeling 'Ahead Of Schedule' As Canes Begin Camp

RALEIGH, N.C. - When Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky revealed to reporters at the end of June that forward Seth Jarvis was set to undergo his long-needed shoulder surgery, the storyline for the first day of training camp, and the early portion of the season, became set: Who fills his spot during his absence?

Fast forward three months, and while at least for the first three days, the answer to that question was Eric Robinson; Jarvis, who was scheduled to be out for "probably four to six months," has also been on the ice.

Clad in the team's yellow jersey, signifying that he is not to be subject to physical contact, simply having the skates laced up was a win for the rehabbing 24-year-old, who is set to begin his sixth NHL season.

"I've been skating for a few weeks now, so (my) cardio feels pretty good; it's more just being around other people (that's the challenge)," Jarvis told reporters at Lane Arena following the first skate of camp. "Obviously, I have to be careful bumping into people, but for the most part, I felt pretty good."

Initially set to be on the shelf for "probably four to six months" from the end of June, the timeframe for his return remains unchanged, but the team's top choice in the 2020 NHL Draft says he feels "a little ahead of schedule."

He also knows it's important not to push the envelope.

"A lot of it is just making sure that I'm not letting these guys down. I don't want to do anything stupid and prolong my way back," he answered with his usual humor. "I know that as bad as I want to be out there, I'm hoping they want me out there as well. It's just making sure that I have the bigger picture in mind and knowing that this isn't just to get short-term gratification over a more long-term kind of thing."

Leading Carolina with 97 goals over the last three regular seasons, Jarvis' production is all the more impressive given that he'd been operating with a torn labrum and rotator cuff for most of that time.

A full scale reparation was held at bay in an effort to try and make Canada's roster as NHLers returned to the Olympics for the first time in over a decade. But with that, and a Stanley Cup victory, in the rearview, it was time to stop delaying the inevitable.

"I wouldn't say (the shoulder is) working more quite yet, but it's working its way there," he reviewed of his surgically repaired parts. "It's nice not to be in a brace anymore, have a little bit more motion out on the ice, being able to use it a little more, have a little more whip and feel more free."

Referencing his "Sully brace," — a breathable neoprene brace designed to stabilize the shoulder, control range of motion, and prevent unwanted movement after an injury or surgery — something he'd have to strap underneath his jersey every time he touched the ice, that can be a thing of the past as he aims to not only replicate his previous production, but reach a new level.

"He looks good. Skating well," Rod Brind'Amour offered of the situation. "I can promise you, (the medical staff is) not going to rush him back. So, he's just got to keep progressing along and keep getting stronger. When he's ready, he'll let us know, and we'll get him in there as soon as we can."

As the Canes continue to prepare to be without Jarvis for at least the first month of the season, they have several cards to play when it comes to his place in the lineup.

Although it came with his usual reminder to not read too far into the line combinations this time of year, Brind'Amour was also quick to say that if Robinson does stick, he's earned the shot.

"If Robby happens to be there, we know what he can do," the head coach reasoned. "He can move up and down the lineup. He's got great speed, and he's scored a lot of big goals."

Leading Carolina with three tallies during their five-game ousting of Montreal during the Eastern Conference Final, the undrafted 31-year-old has had success playing alongside "top six" skill before, notably featuring a hot start to the 2024-25 season when he operated with Martin Necas and Jack Roslovic.

"I know what can make me a factor in games and what my game is," Robinson calmly relayed. "No matter who my linemates are, or whatever spot you want to say it is in the lineup, I've got to do the same thing and bring the same things."

But Robinson is far from the only player capable of skating alongside Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov.

Despite not yielding much success at the start of last season, there's always the possibility of trying Nikolaj Ehlers again. There's also the route of giving a prospect, potentially such as Bradly Nadeau or Felix Unger Sorum a trial run, as Tulsky hinted at in June.

There are options aplenty, a byproduct of having not only a deep forward group, but also being deep at the position organizationally.

And no matter which way Brind'Amour and staff elect to go, the Canes are in good hands until #24 returns.