The Carolina Hurricanes will have forward Andrei Svechnikov back in the lineup on Friday, announcing that the Russian will make his season debut against the Sharks.
The 23-year-old had knee surgery in March for a torn ACL and has not played since, but has been skating and practising with the team.
Svechnikov had 23 goals and 55 points in 64 games last season, good for fourth in team scoring, despite his shortened season.
Svechnikov skated with the team in a yellow non-contact jersey to open training camp last month, though he and coach Rod Brind'Amour were non-committal on exactly when he would be ready to play. Svechnikov recently shed that jersey for workouts.
The former No. 2 overall draft pick from 2018 provides a physical presence. His absence loomed large as Carolina struggled to generate offense while being swept by Florida all in one-goal games.
The Hurricanes are off to a 4-4-0 start to the season, while the Sharks (0-6-1) are winless. You can catch the game on Sportsnet+ at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
--with files from The Associated Press
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