Jarvis feels ahead of schedule for Hurricanes in recovery from shoulder surgery

MORRISVILLE, N.C. -- Seth Jarvis skated in a noncontact jersey during the Carolina Hurricanes' first training camp practice Thursday, and the forward could be ahead of schedule in his return following surgery on his right shoulder in late June.

Jarvis had repairs for a torn labrum and rotator cuff and was expected to need 4-6 months to recover, with a return between late October and December the initial projection.

"Last I checked I was a little ahead of schedule, so (I will) just keep rehabbing as hard as I can," Jarvis said. "It's been a long grind, but I can start to kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Jarvis initially injured his shoulder during the 2023-24 season but opted to play through any issues the past two seasons, including 71 regular-season games and 19 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to help the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup last season. He also played five games for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

"I've been skating for a few weeks now," he said. "Cardio feels pretty good. It's more just getting used to being around other people. Obviously I've got to be careful bumping into people, but for the most part it felt pretty good.

"It's nice not to be in a brace anymore and have a little bit more motion out on the ice, being able to use more width and feel more free out there."

Jarvis led the Hurricanes with 32 goals last season, and had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 19 playoff games. 

"He looks good, he's skating well," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "But I can promise you, they're not going to rush him back. He's got to keep progressing along and getting stronger. When he's ready, he will let us know and we'll get him in as soon as we can."

Unsigned restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin did not take part in practice. The 24-year-old had 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) and averaged 18:11 in ice time in 81 regular-season games and had one assist in 14:50 of ice time in 17 playoff games last season, playing mostly on a pair with Shayne Gostisbehere. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement on Wednesday, "Alexander Nikishin is not under contract currently, so he will not be at camp when we hit the ice on Thursday. We won't be commenting further at this time."

In Nikishin's absence, the Hurricanes will have plenty of competition for ice time on the blue line, including three returning players. Mike Reilly had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 42 games, Joel Nystrom had 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 38 games, and Charles Alexis Legault had two points (one goal, one assist) in 12 games. Of the three, Reilly was the only one to play in the postseason, with two assists in two games.

The Hurricanes also have Juuso Valimaki, who played for Chicago of the American Hockey League after being acquired from the Utah Mammoth on Jan. 5 and signed a one-year contract June 24, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who signed a one-year contract Sept. 8.

"We've added some pieces there," Brind'Amour said. "There's going to be some competition there, along with the younger guys that we know who have come up and played well. It's good to have that. We'll see how it all shakes out."

The Hurricanes open the season against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Sept. 29 (5 p.m. ET; ESPN).