SAN JOSE — Erik Karlsson is back on the ice, but he isn’t “close” to rejoining the Sharks lineup.
Karlsson took his first-big step toward returning from a groin injury that’s sidelined him for 17 games on Saturday, skating for roughly 30 minutes prior to the Sharks optional morning skate. The two-time Norris Trophy winner skated figure eights around the faceoff circles, practiced hard stops and zipped around the rink a few times in a full sprint at Solar4America Ice.
“Good sign. Out there, no setbacks. No pain,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. “First step, obviously. We’re not close yet.