Top NHL Draft prospect Svechnikov could return from hand injury next week

Forward Andrei Svechnikov of Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League, a projected first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, could return to the lineup as early as next week after missing the past 15 games because of a hand injury.
Svechnikov, who earned an A rating on NHL Central Scouting's November players to watch list, was tied for second in the Ontario Hockey League with 10 goals in 10 games. He last played Oct. 14.

He could play against Mississauga on Dec. 8 or Oshawa on Dec. 9. He has been ruled out for games Dec. 2 against Ottawa and Dec. 3 against Kingston.
The 6-foot-2, 186-pound right wing has been practicing wearing a red, non-contact jersey and has been cleared to shoot at 80-percent strength, according to his agent, Mark Gandler.
Svechnikov is the younger brother of Detroit Red Wings forward prospect Evgeny Svechnikov, the No. 19 pick of the 2015 NHL Draft.
"I think if there's one player right now that could step into an NHL lineup it would be him," Central Scouting's Karl Stewart said of Svechnikov. "His stride is so powerful. When he wants to, he drops the shoulder and turns it on and he's around you. You can't stop him. His shot buys him so much time and space and he's got the skills to dance around you. He's a magician on the half wall on the power play. … He's an NHL player right now playing in the OHL."
Svechnikov was fifth in the United States Hockey League last season with 29 goals and sixth with 58 points with Muskegon. Barrie selected him with the No. 1 pick of the 2017 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.