Sounds like Canucks forward should be ready for training camp, but may take cautious approach to NHL preseason

The agent for Vancouver Canucks winger Ilya Mikheyev says his client is making terrific strides in his recovery from season-ending knee surgery. However, Dan Milstein suggests both Mikheyev and the Canucks should take a long-term vision when it comes to testing the Russian forward's top gear.

Milstein, CEO of Gold Star Sports, appeared on Tuesday's Sekeres and Price podcast and updated where Mikheyev is in his recovery with training camp set to begin on September 21st in Victoria.

"Ilya is doing great," Milstein said. "He is the hardest working guy in the business or one of them. He arrived back to Vancouver last week. He is in great spirits. He’s skating. He’s working hard. He had a meeting with the doctors in the US that have operated on him and we expect a full recovery and hopefully he’ll be ready before the start of the season."

It's that last sentence that contained a significant red flag for anyone expecting Mikheyev to be the fastest player on the ice on the first day of training camp. Known for his speed, Mikheyev may require a gradual re-entry into life as a full-time National Hockey Leaguer. 

The agent seemed to suggest that the 28-year-old's knee would benefit from a gradual ramp up to full throttle and to the significant exertion required to compete in the NHL. As such, the Canucks may be better served to monitor -- and perhaps limit -- Mikheyev's workload through camp and the preseason with the hopes of having him 100% healthy and ready to contribute in the team's season opener on October 11th.

"This is something we’re going to talk about in a few days once we get the doctor’s blessing," Milstein said. "Certainly, it was an unfortunate accident that happened last pre-season. I keep reminding Ilya that this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It’s 82 games in addition to six or seven preseason games plus hopefully this time around we’ll have a playoff season as well. So it’s not about the preseason, it’s about the entire 82 games and then some."

Mikheyev suffered a partially torn ACL in his first preseason game with the Canucks last September. He tried to play through the injury, but was ultimately shutdown for the season in late January just days after the Canucks made their coaching change.

In his first season in Vancouver, a less-than-fully-healthy Mikheyev still managed 13 goals and 28 points in 46 games. In his four years in the NHL, his career-high for games played is 54 in 2020-21 with Toronto.