Seth Jarvis took a meaningful step forward in his recovery on Thursday, skating in a regular practice sweater for the first time since offseason shoulder surgery after previously being limited to a yellow no-contact jersey.
For Carolina, that doesn’t mean a return to game action is right around the corner, but it does mark a clear checkpoint in the process. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour described it as another of several “good signs,” and said the team is still following the timeline and plan set by the medical staff.
Jarvis, who is 24, said the biggest hurdle so far has been getting past the no-contact stage.
"Yeah, it's probably the biggest step I've had so far, getting out of that (yellow jersey), being able to take contact now," said Jarvis. "So now it's just a matter of getting comfortable, making sure it's ready to go."
He also said the shoulder has been responding well through the first three weeks of practice.
"There's not much that really bothers it anymore, which is nice. Just easing into contact is the kind of the biggest step right now," he reviewed.
Jarvis had been working in a yellow jersey until Thursday, when he appeared in a standard practice sweater for the first time this season. He was still skating as an extra to begin the day, so he is not yet ready to return.
His absence has been felt at the top of the Hurricanes’ lineup after he led the team in goals last season with 32. In the meantime, Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov have picked up the scoring burden, leading the team with seven and four points, respectively.
Jarvis said both have been assertive offensively.
"I think they've been aggressive. I think they've done a really good job of not really playing on the perimeter and being a little bit more direct with their offense," said Jarvis of Aho and Svechnikov.
"I think shooting has been a big part, especially for Fishy. I think he can sometimes defer a little too much.
He has a really good shot. So seeing him score, and Svechy get one last game, everyone knows he could score, so we know it's coming."
Six of their combined 11 points have come on the power play, but the pair has also clicked at 5-on-5 alongside Eric Robinson and William Carrier. Jarvis gave both linemates plenty of credit for the line’s early success through four games.
"When it's Robbie, Robbie's done a great job with his speed, and with Cares, I think he opens up a little bit more ice for those guys to make plays and to get time to shoot the puck," he praised. "So it's been working really well. It's fun to watch."
As much as he’s been able to appreciate that from the outside, Jarvis made it clear that watching instead of playing has been difficult.
"Oh, a ton," he said when asked how much he's missed playing while watching his team from afar. "I miss going on the road with the guys.
I'm not around them as much, which kind of sucks. It's been tough to watch, but they've been doing good, so I'm just happy we're having success."
Brind'Amour said Jarvis still matters plenty in the room, even while he’s sidelined.
"We're on the ice a lot, but we're together a lot more when we're not on the ice. He's just a real good character and lovable guy, and a great player," said Brind'Amour.
"But he's a good person. We love having him around."
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