How are you Jack Eichel treatment while recovering from artificial disc replacement surgery? According to Vegas Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer, the forward has been the best player in practice several times over the past week.
It was an encouraging update DeBoer, who will coach the Pacific Division All-Star Team this weekend, gave during NHL Media Day Friday in Las Vegas.
The other update DeBoer gave reporters was that Eichel could be ready to be contacted as early as next week.
“The doctor was adamant that three months after the operation there would be absolutely no contact, and I believe that’s this week,” DeBoer said via NHL.com. “So I think coming out of this break it will be a question of starting contact.”
Eichel underwent ADR surgery on Nov. 12 and began skating with his Golden Knights teammates just over three weeks ago while wearing a non-contact jersey. There is still no target date for his return, but progress in his recovery could set him up to leave sooner rather than later.
“We haven’t made contact yet. I would say that’s the next step and that’s a big step,” DeBoer said. “Obviously everything changes once we come into full contact. But training and skill-wise he’s elite, elite, and every day we go out with him, the group becomes more excited.
The Golden Knights come out of All-Star break with a back-to-back road trip to Alberta against the Oilers and Flames, then enjoy a week off before a two-game home game against the Avalanche and Kings.
Vegas is atop the Pacific Division with 57 points and one game behind Los Angeles, who are two points behind them. Barring a complete and utter collapse, the Golden Knights will be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a fifth consecutive season since entering the league. It would also mean the 25-year-old Eichel, who has 375 NHL games under his belt, would make the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Adding Eichel to the roster would only strengthen an already strong Cup contender. Being surrounded by so much talent could ease the production burden and allow him to find his place in the Golden Knights roster.
“I think he can just come in and do his thing, he doesn’t have the pressure to carry a team,” DeBoer said. “He’s never played in an NHL playoff game before and I know that’s exciting for him. It’s a whole different level of hockey when you get to this time of year. I’m excited for him because I think he’s going to excel at this type of game.”
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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Write to him at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.
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