Preds' Johansen feeling '100 percent' healthy ahead of training camp
When Nashville Predators centerman Ryan Johansen underwent emergency surgery to repair a potentially life-threatening acute compartment syndrome issue in his left thigh in May, team doctors expected him to make a full recovery.
On Tuesday, Johansen was back on the ice for an informal skate with teammates, and afterward, confirmed what Preds fans - and doctors - have been waiting all summer to hear: "I finished my rehab here in Nashville so we could get that out of the way and make sure I'm back to 100 percent as fast as I could," Johansen said, according to Robby Stanley of NHL.com.
"And then I just went through the usual summer process and getting ready for the start of the season. It feels good to be back to 100 percent and skating with the guys here getting ready for it all to start."
Johansen managed to produce decent offensive numbers during his first full season in Smashville, tallying 14 goals and 47 assists across 82 games. He also tasted postseason success, registering 13 points in 14 games during the Predators' 2017 playoff run.
Despite the postseason uptick in production, Johansen recognizes that team success is paramount, and, that the Predators came just short of accomplishing their ultimate goal.
"Obviously we've got some unfinished business to do," said Johansen.
"We're just looking forward to getting back at it here now and going through the process of trying to put ourselves in the same situation. Just looking forward to spending each and every day moving forward now with the guys."
Nashville opens its season Oct. 5 with a trip to Boston to take on the Bruins.