Svechnikov sounded upbeat for a possible return, saying “I’m going to be a better player, better person. I don’t think anybody is going to stop me, not one guy, not two guys.”
Svechnikov is known for pushing himself — working out, in games — sometimes so much that it isn’t beneficial. But his approach to having to miss so much time at a crucial stage in his development is a good thing.
It’s probably a safe bet that Evgeny Svechnikov will never become an elite or even all-star type player, but I think he could be penciled in for a solid middle-six role.