Erik Karlsson News

Karlsson was the only surprise absent player at Pittsburgh's practice Friday as he missed it due to illness and will hope to be good to go for Saturday as the Penguins head to Vegas. The 33-year-old was acquired by Pittsburgh in a blockbuster deal during the offseason after winning the Norris Trophy in 2022-23 and has a decent seven goals, 31 points, 102 SOG, 24 PIMs and +10 plus/minus through 42 games played.

Karlsson was acquired by Pittsburgh as part of a massive blockbuster trade with involves both San Jose and Montreal. The 33-year-old defensemen is fresh off of winning the 2022-23 Norris Trophy after a season which saw him surpass 100+ points for the first time in his career with 25 goals, 76 assists, 209 SOG, 36 PIMs and a -26 plus/minus through 82 games with San Jose last season. The addition of the superstar brings 178 goals and 761 points in 920 games alongside three Norris Trophies to the Penguins' blue line.

It's unclear when Karlsson suffered an injury and what is ailing him but he will return to San Jose and will not play Saturday. Radim Simek and Alexander Barabanov are also out, leaving the Sharks with just 16 skaters in Dallas.

Karlsson skated again on Wednesday and the Sharks are hopeful that he could be back in the middle of March. Karlsson underwent surgery to repair a muscle tear in his left forearm on January 24th.

Karlsson underwent surgery to repair a small muscle tear in his left forearm on Monday and will miss at least 6-to-7 weeks. This is a terrible break for Karlsson, who was having a resurgent year, scoring eight goals with 18 assists (26 points) in 33 games. Ryan Merkley will likely remain with the Sharks with Karlsson out.

Karlsson will not play Saturday vs. the Lightning due to an upper-body injury. Radim Simek will replace him in the lineup and Ryan Merkley is expected to play an increased role.

The Sharks are hopeful that Karlsson will be available next Tuesday, so this does not appear to be an injury that will sideline him long-term. Brent Burns will remain on the top PP unit with Ryan Merkley on PP2 on Saturday.

Karlsson suffered an upper-body injury in the third period of Tuesday's loss in Detroit. Ryan Merkley will draw into the lineup to replace Karlsson but Brent Burns will take over on PP1.

Karlsson appeared to get hurt in the third period of Tuesday's loss in Detroit and is questionable for Thursday's game. If Karlsson can't play, look for Marc-Edouard Vlasic to draw back into the lineup and for Brent Burns to take over on PP1.

Karlsson has missed the last six games while on the COVID-19 reserve list but should be back in the lineup on Saturday. With Karlsson back, Ryan Merkley was reassigned to the AHL.

Karlsson, who has missed the last two games, did not travel with the team to St. Louis, so he'll miss at least two more games with a lower-body injury. Tomas Hertl may have slipped up on Wednesday, saying that Karlsson is dealing with a groin injury that could keep him out for a bit.

The Sharks' blueline depth will be tested on Monday with both Karlsson and Radim Simek out. Frederik Claesson will make his season debut replacing Karlsson.

Karlsson missed the season opener in Vegas to be with his wife for the birth of their child but will play tonight vs. the Golden Knights. Karlsson will look to build off of a solid first season in San Jose—his 1.8 SH% is bound to bounce-back and a healthy season could result in 60-plus assists.