Updated timeline given on Jack Eichel

Newly acquired Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel has yet to play a game in the 2021-22 season, but there is growing optimism he may be able to join his team in the coming months.

Eichel, 25, underwent a neck fusion surgery in mid-November, and by all accounts it was a successful operation. Prior to the surgery, the former Buffalo Sabre seemed hopeful that he would be good to play in three months, while the surgeon gave a timeline of three to five months. On Thursday, he was spotted skating for the first time since his operation, and a new update has been given just a day later on his recovery.

According to ESPN's John Buccigross, Eichel has been cleared to do everything at this point except take contact. He is skating and rehabbing in North Carolina currently, and is expected to join the Golden Knights in roughly three weeks. This seems to be a very positive update and suggests Eichel's original plan of being ready to play in three months may indeed be the case.