SportSharks announce Erik Karlsson had 'successful' groin surgery

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Despite not having a contract with the team for next season, the San Jose Sharks have announced that Erik Karlsson underwent successful surgery on a groin injury. Karlsson is expected to recover fully in time for 2019-20.

The star defenseman was forced to miss a do-or-die Game 6 against the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final due to this injury, which hampered him for much of the 2018-19 season. Karlsson ended up playing just 53 games for the Sharks after they acquired him from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a huge package of assets, and while he did record 45 points during that time, he couldn’t be the difference-maker they were hoping for when it mattered the most given his injury.

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The San Jose Sharks announced that defenceman Erik Karlsson underwent successful surgery to address a groin injury suffered during the 2018-19 The Sharks said Wednesday that Karlsson had the operation last week and has already started rehabilitation. The team says Karlsson is expected to

The Sharks said Wednesday the two-time Norris Trophy winner had surgery on his injured groin just a little under a week ago. The team revealed via press release that the two-time Norris Trophy winner underwent successful surgery on Friday, May 31, "to address a groin injury he suffered" during the

This injury has also caused some to question what Karlsson’s free agent market will be. While he is still one of the best offensive defensemen in the league, the 29-year old has now dealt with multiple major injuries over the last few years and poses plenty of risk going forward. Even if he is ready to start the season on time, there is no guarantee he comes back with quite as much dominance as he has shown in the past. With teams likely having to commit close to, or even above, $10M per season on a long-term deal to secure his services, that uncertainty could cause some to pause.

In the Sharks’ case specifically, they should know better than anyone if Karlsson can return to form. They have expressed an interest to re-sign him in the past but would have to give up another asset to Ottawa in the form of a second-round pick if they did. The team also has to consider the fact that it already has four players on the roster making at least $7M per season for at least six more years, three of which are on the wrong side of 30 already. The Sharks have plenty of cap space at the moment, but they will have to prudently spend it if they want to stay where they are as contenders in the Western Conference.