The San Jose Sharks announced that centre Melker Karlsson is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Karlsson’s injury is considered minor and he should only miss their contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. San Jose also recalled Radim Simek, who played a hand in the Sharks 4-2 win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Radim Simek in tonight; Melker Karlsson out. Upper body injury. Considered day to day #SJSharks
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 5, 2019
Melker Karlsson Injured
So far this season, Karlsson has one goal and one assist for two points to go along with six minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 50.0% Corsi For and a relative Corsi of 1.5.
Over his six-year NHL, Karlsson has played solely for the San Jose Sharks. He has 55 goals and 47 assists for 102 career points in 350 career games. Karlsson didn’tget drafted, as many viewed him of having no chance of reaching the NHL. After leading Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Hockey League to back-to-back league titles in 2012-13 and 2013-14, many teams were interested in his services. The San Jose Sharks signed him after the 2013-14 season was complete.
What This Means for the Future
With Karlsson out, Lean Bergmann will also have a shot to draw back into the lineup. Bergmann will have a short opportunity to show the Sharks what he can do. In his brief stint so far, Bergmann has been playing alongside Noah Gregor and Lukas Radil. He has been tasked with killing penalties and adding grit while on the fourth line.
Karlsson’s impact on the team goes beyond being a gritty player. Karlsson is a character guy whom everybody respects and likes. The Sharks are glad he won’t be out a long time.
The Sharks will look to get the ball rolling as they have a pivotal homestand coming up. They will be playing the likes of the Minnesota Wild, the Nashville Predators and the Edmonton Oilers. San Jose hope that having a long homestand will help rejuvenate them and get them back on the right track.
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 27: San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson (68) during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators on October 27, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
