Report: Karlsson updates injury status

Every Ottawa Senators fan should be happy about this news coming out of Ottawa yesterday: Sens captain Erik Karlsson is back on the ice! The Swedish All-Star defenseman, who had a surgery to repair torn tendons in his left foot on June 14th, is expected to be ready for the start of the 2017-18 season, despite reports that he could miss up to a month of playing time.

The two times Norris trophy winner helped the Senators reach the Eastern Conference Final last season, and he certainly proved along his years in Ottawa that he’s one of the league best defenseman, if not one of the league’s best player. The 27-year-old Swede, drafted 15th overall in 2008, has registered 456 points in 556 games played. 

Even after the Senators losing Marc Methot to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, they still have a couple of good options to begin the season without Karlsson, wich would give him enough time to get back when he’s 100%. The team signed veteran Johnny Oduya this summer, and youngster Thomas Chabot, who played one game with Ottawa last season before being sent back to his QMJHL team, has shown really great things so far this preseason. 

Still, general manager Pierre Dorion and head coach Guy Boucher are hoping to have their captain back and healthy on October 5th, when Ottawa will face the Washington Capitals in their home opener.