Hertl confirms he's recovered after tearing ACL, MCL

Tomas Hertl is ready whenever the 2020-21 season begins, and the San Jose Sharks forward says he's recovered after suffering a devastating knee injury nearly a year ago.

"I feel good. I started actually skating in early August back home when I was in Czech, and now we’re skating three times a week here. My knee is feeling good," Hertl told The Athletic's Kevin Kurz.

"If (the Sharks were playing games) I’d be for sure ready to play right now," he continued. "It’s no issue, and feeling strong. One good thing, I still have time to get even stronger and stronger and make sure everything is good."

Hertl tore his ACL and MCL in a game on Jan. 3 last season. He underwent surgery on Feb. 3.

The 27-year-old was enjoying another solid campaign before the injury, and he was named to his first All-Star team. He appeared in 48 contests while racking up 16 goals and 20 assists, and Hertl ranked second on the team in goals and points at the time of his injury.

With the season tentatively slated to begin on Jan. 1, Hertl is itching to get back into a game.

"I got time to regroup and I don’t have to start early. I know if we start in January, I will be ready to go," he said. "At the same time, it’s getting longer because I got injured end of January and now I’m working for nine months straight just in the gym, so that’s kind of in your head. I just keep working out, and the worst thing is you don’t know when you actually start."