Karlsson may never be the same player again

As it was reported yesterday, Ottawa Senators star defenseman Erik Karlsson had part of his ankle bone removed in a surgical operation this past June. He has begun skating again, but something is off.

Speaking to NHL.com, Karlsson explained that "it's hard to say what exactly is different. It feels like I have a leather piece in my one ankle. You can't really move it. It's going to take some getting used to, but I feel like I can manage it pretty well right now. Hopefully it's just going to get better and better.”

Karlsson’s trademark asset is his smooth skating ability. He described skating with his ankle the way it is now as “a weird feeling” and simply hopes that he can adjust. No player of his caliber will ever come out and express doubt about such a situation in fear of stirring up a media frenzy, so it’s to be expected that he’s optimistic.

The Norris trophy nominee already pretty much ruled himself out of the season’s opening night matchup and still doesn’t know when he will be ready to come back.