What happened: Kulich said the recovery brought doubt and fear about his future in hockey. He has now returned to full health and been cleared to resume hockey activities.

Why it matters: Medical clearance turns a long-term health issue into an availability question instead of a shutdown. It puts him back on track for preseason work after losing the end of last year to a serious medical issue.

What to watch: The next marker is whether he gets through camp and preseason sessions without limitation. That workload should show how quickly he can settle back into a normal routine.