The nightmare season in San Jose just continues to get worse. Already down two key forwards in Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl while being well out of playoff contention, the Sharks announced that defenseman Erik Karlsson will miss the remainder of the season due to a broken thumb on his left hand that will require surgery. He is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp.
Karlsson’s second season in San Jose has not gone as well as anyone had hoped following him signing a record-setting eight-year, $92MM deal to avoid free agency back in June, the richest contract given to a defenseman in NHL history. After seeing his production dip to 45 points last season (albeit in 53 games), his lowest since he recorded 45 in his sophomore year in Ottawa back in 2010-11, his output went a bit lower this year as he picked up six goals and 34 assists in 56 games this season. After being one of the top goal scoring threats from the back end in his prime with the Senators, he will now have gone three straight years where he scored less than ten times.
To make matters worse for the Sharks, they don’t have their first-round pick this season as it was dealt without any sort of trade protection as part of the trade to land Karlsson back in 2018. Losing Karlsson, despite his struggles, is a huge blow for their back end, a group that is likely to be weakened even further when Brenden Dillon is inevitably dealt between now and the February 24th trade deadline.
Taking Karlsson’s place on the roster will be defenseman Jacob Middleton who has been recalled from the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. The 24-year-old has played in four games with the Sharks this season and has been held off the scoresheet while chipping in with a goal and five assists in 31 games at the minor league level.
Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that Karlsson was out for the season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I wonder how that monstrosity of a contract is looking to the sharks now.
Sharks are lucky the Jeff Skinner contract happened to overshadow their awful Karlsson deal.
Not even close
Oof
Bad contract = Bad contract. Which “Bad’ is worse? It’s almost a tie, but Karlsson’s is an epic albatross. Skinner’s is just really, really, really bad.
In defense of Skinner Buffalo is BAD as well, to go along with the struggling Skinner , so maybe change of scenery will improve from bad performance to getting a few points so they may dump him to someone now or wait til summer. but mac you are correct Bad Contract =Bad Contract on both ends.
this along with Jane being suspended 3 games and Dillon almost certainly heading out the door must be making Pierre Dorian smile a bit more each day.
Everyone knew that contract would blow up in their faces. But they were thinking Stanley Cup now or bust. Welcome to bust idiots.
Would you really call Karlsson’s contract an “albatross”? I mean he’s certainly slidden from the dominant rearguard he was (at least offensively) in Ottawa, but he was on pace for 60 points this year which doesn’t justify the record-setting contract but I mean at least he hasn’t gone Horcoff on them!
at present time its hard to see it as anything other than an albatross because of its value and the fact it’s year one.
the main issue is the fact they will likely have to part with one of burns or vlasic to make that team competitive again. there isn’t a ton of high end talent coming down the pipe and like the Sens last year, they don’t own their near the bottom of the standings 1st this year.
desperation is not why you make a move and the Sens trade for Duchene and the Karlsson signing was exactly that.
Yeah true, one would hope for San Jose’s sake that Mr. Karlsson has run into some unfortunate circumstances and will return to form for next season…
With the looming trade deadline right around corner 9 days from now on 24th , and injuries and whom will be moved out on possible rebuild Dillon , Burns, Vlasic , a goaltender , now Kane’s suspension and if you look at overall standings in entire league not counting tonight’s results they are ranked 25th in standings with only 5 teams below them , most likely they will fall even with shotty goaltending you will see San Jose in a good draft pick say #6 pick now by standings with 24 games remaining so June Draft will have a good pick in Draft.
San Jose doesn’t own its first rounder this year riverrat64. it’s owed to the Senators
A goaltender? LMAO!!!!!! Sorry man, nobody in the NHL wants Jones. KHL maybe?
Brainfart, my bad Moneyball you are 100% correct , still will see some movement now or in summer maybe some young talent for the future , Goalie No. 1 , etc. etc. Thanks for reminding me ,
I’m sure Dillon is being pushed hard for a 1st so they can get back in the first round.
Probably can get a high pick in the 27-31 pick in 2020 Draft, with some major contender looking for a good depth player in Dillon so at least they can get into first round since they gave up their pick to Ottawa.