Tomas Hertl expected to be out for a month
Credit: Brodie Brazil
Nothing went right for the Sharks in their 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at Staple Center. At 18:59 of the first period when the game was still tied at 0, Dustin Brown and Hertl collided near the Sharks blue line. Hertl went down in pain, limped over to the Sharks’ bench, and was helped to the locker room by the trainers. He did not return. Dustin Brown was given a 5 minute major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct.
Sharks staff and coaches would not say anything for the rest of the night in terms of the seriousness of the injury. However, reports are coming out this morning that Hertl could be out for at least a month.
Well-connected Czech journalist @jedli reporting "good source" says Tomas Hertl should be out about one month with knee injury.
— David Pollak (@PollakOnSharks) December 20, 2013
Cleared to report now that @jedli's source is Hertl's father, who received a message from his son after game.
— David Pollak (@PollakOnSharks) December 20, 2013
It is a bit early to try and put a timetable on Hertl’s return, but he will definitely be out for an extended period of time.
This is a huge blow to an already slumping Sharks, who have heavily relied on the rookie’s goal scoring ability. So far this season, Hertl leads the Sharks in goals, with 15. This is the second top-line forward that the Sharks have lost to injury this year, Brent Burns being the other. It is really tough to see Hertl go down with a major injury, as he is 20 years old and playing in his first NHL season.
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