Carolina Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen one step closer to returning to lineup
Teuvo Teravainen was out of a no-contact jersey and a full participant in the Carolina Hurricanes’ practice on Monday, another step toward his return to the lineup ahead of the Eastern Conference final.
Teravainen is a little more than four weeks removed from surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand, caused by an unpenalized Jean-Gabriel Pageau slash during the second game of the first round. The team said at the time there was a 4-8 week window for Teravainen’s return, but there was never any guarantee the Hurricanes would still be playing by the time Teravainen was fully recovered..
“It’s kind of crazy,” Teravainen said. “I thought for sure I was done but doctors did a really good job and it looks like getting back pretty soon. It’s awesome to see what the boys have done, a really good job playing really good hockey. It’s tough to watch the games from outside. You always want to be helping but they’ve done a really good job.”
He went through his first practice with the team Saturday wearing a yellow no-contact jersey and rotated in on the fourth line during Monday’s practice.
“I think I’m pretty much ready to go, so whenever coach puts me out there,” Teravainen said.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour was slightly more hesitant, although he acknowledged things could change during the prolonged delay between series.
“He’s healthy enough, it’s just whether or not he can play,” Brind’Amour said. “I’m not going to throw him in if he can’t shoot.”
Waiting game
The Hurricanes are still awaiting a start date for this series against the Florida Panthers, but Thursday appears to be the most likely day for Game 1, even if Wednesday remains a possibility. The NHL, ESPN and TNT were expected to make a final decision later Monday.
That makes planning this week’s practice routine more difficult than it would be otherwise, Brind’Amour said.
“We don’t even know when we’re playing,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s different when you know it’s this game day, and you can plan it out. But when they don’t actually tell you, it makes it a little more tricky. At this time of year, guys just want to play. When you’re practicing, you’re just trying to stay sharp. You’re not changing much.”
This story was originally published May 15, 2023 at 11:31 AM.
