Despite not having a contract with the team for next season, the San Jose Sharks have announced that Erik Karlsson underwent successful surgery on a groin injury. Karlsson is expected to recover fully in time for 2019-20.
The star defenseman was forced to miss a do-or-die game six against the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final due to this injury, which hampered him for much of the 2018-19 season. Karlsson ended up playing just 53 games for the Sharks after they acquired him from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a huge package of assets, and while he did record 45 points during that time he couldn’t be the difference maker they were hoping for when it mattered the most given his injury.
This injury has also caused some to question what Karlsson’s free agent market will be. While he is still one of the best offensive defensemen in the league, the 29-year old has now dealt with multiple major injuries over the last few years and poses plenty of risk going forward. Even if he is ready to start the season on time, there is no guarantee he comes back with quite as much dominance as he has shown in the past. With teams likely having to commit close to, or even above $10MM per season on a long-term deal to secure his services, that uncertainty could cause some to pause.
In the Sharks’ case specifically, they should know better than anyone if Karlsson can return to form. The team has expressed an interest to re-sign him in the past, though would have to give up another asset to Ottawa in the form of a second-round pick if they did. The team also has to consider the fact that they already have four players on the roster making at least $7MM per season for at least six more years, three of which are on the wrong side of thirty already. The team has plenty of cap space at the moment, but will have to prudently spend it if they want to stay where they are as contenders in the Western Conference.
Whoever gives this guy a huge deal will regret it.
He’s been injured a lot the last couple years,I agree someone is going to get screwed on his next deal.
Five-year deal, massively front-loaded (first year), then tailing off to league minimum in years 2-5…C’mon, Doug Wilson, make it happen! Don’t forget the off-ice incentives for those radio commercial fake phone messages for upcoming game promos. Big bucks there!
I can see Karlsson getting at most 6 years. he’s in a tough position. normal logic would say take a 1 year deal to build up your value again but with all the moving and hos wife reportedly wanting to be closer to home, I doubt he is looking for a short term contract and then moving again. what I would like to see is him and Methot sign with the same team. were a great compliment to each other.
He doesn’t need to “rebuild his value”. His value is still strong.