Erik Karlsson News

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.

Karlsson was a late scratch from the Sharks season opener in Vegas. Karlsson had to attend to a personal affair and will be replaced by Tim Heed on the blueline and Kevin Labanc on the first power-play unit.

Karlsson was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st but the Sharks have locked him up through the 2026-27 season. Karlsson’s new $11.5M cap-hit, represents a $5.0M raise and makes him the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL. After a slow-start and an injury plagued season, Karlsson posted his lowest point total (45) since 2012-13, but his point-per-game number (0.849) was right there with his most recent seasons.

Karlsson has missed the last three games and has no timetable for his return but the Sharks are confident that he will return to the lineup before the playoffs. The Sharks are locked into a playoff spot so they will not rush Karlsson back until he is 100 percent.

Karlsson has missed three of the last four games with a groin issue and will miss at least the rest of the Sharks homestand. Tim Heed will remain on the blueline with Karlsson sidelined.

Karlsson missed Sunday’s game in Detroit but will draw back into the lineup tonight in Boston. Karlsson had a slow start to the season but has had a great year, ranking tied for eighth among defensemen in points with 45 (3G / 42A) in 51 games.

Karlsson is set to miss his second straight game on Tuesday but it sounds like his groin injury isn’t overly serious and that the Sharks are just being cautious. With a playoff spot all but locked up, the Sharks want to focus on making sure that he is right for the postseason, so won’t rush him back.

Karlsson has missed the last 10 games with a lower-body injury but will play Saturday vs. the Canucks. Karlsson will skate with Marc-Edouard Vlasic and enters play with 43 points (3G / 40A) in 47 games this season.

Karlsson will not play Monday in Vancouver but head coach Pete DeBoer said that he is “really close” and that they don’t want to risk re-aggravating the injury.

Despite taking part in the All-Star weekend festivities, Karlsson is not ready to play on Saturday. Tim Heed will dress in Karlsson’s place.

The Sharks returned to the ice on Friday but Karlsson did not participate and remains a question mark for tonight’s game. The All-Star defenseman has been excellent for the Sharks this season and the team has gone 2-2-1 in the five games he’s missed due to injury or suspension his season. Fortunately for San Jose, it looks like they will at least get Marc-Edouard Vlasic back and Karlsson’s return seems just around the corner.

Karlsson will miss Monday’s game in Florida and Tuesday’s game in Washington, at the very least. The Sharks’ first game after the break is Saturday, February 2nd vs. the Coyotes. Look for Kevin Labanc to play on the top power-play for a second straight game.

Karlsson was on the ice for warmups but the lower-body ailment that he has been dealing with will force him to miss Saturday’s game vs. the Lightning.