The San Jose Sharks are wrapping up their preseason schedule with a pair of road games this weekend, but Sharks fans are already looking forward to next week when the regular season begins. Unfortunately for San Jose, they will likely be without one of their top young forwards from last season when they head to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Melker Karlsson, who was named the San Jose Sharks Rookie of the Year last season, is expected to miss the season opener against the Kings according to head coach Peter DeBoer. Here’s what DeBoer had to say about Karlsson via Kevin Kurz of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area:
"“Well, the opener is a week away, so we’re not there yet. He’s ruled out for this weekend.”"
As Kurz reports, Karlsson was able to practice with his teammates on Friday, but he still needs more time to work himself back from an undisclosed injury. Karlsson has yet to feature in any of the Sharks exhibition schedule.
The 25-year-old Karlsson was a revelation of sorts for San Jose last season, posting 13 goals and 10 assists in 53 games with the Sharks. After being called up from Worcester, Karlsson was a mainstay in the Sharks lineup, working himself up to the top line alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. The highlight of his season came at the beginning of January when Karlsson scored in five straight games for the San Jose Sharks, tying Jeff Friesen for consecutive games with a goal by a rookie.
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With Karlsson out to start the season, it could open a roster spot for some of San Jose’s younger players initially. Joonas Donskoi, Nikolay Goldobin and Barclay Goodrow could be beneficiaries of Karlsson’s abesence. In particular, Donskoi has looked really solid during the preseason and reminds Sharks fans of Karlsson himself after spending time in Europe before being signed as a free agent by San Jose.
While Karlsson isn’t expected to miss too much time, it will be interesting to see where DeBoer fits him into the lineup. Karlsson could be a nice depth player for the Sharks on their third-or-fourth lines, or maybe he slots back on the wing with Thornton and Pavelski.
Regardless, expect to see Karlsson return to action in teal in relatively short order, just not in time for their opening night matchup in Los Angeles.
Next: Brent Burns Primed For Big Season In San Jose