Erik Karlsson is out for the season for the San Jose Sharks because of a broken thumb that will require surgery.
The defenseman, who was injured in a 3-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, is expected to recover in time for training camp next season.
“Tough news. Obviously we’re dealing with many injuries already, and it’s just another one that piles up,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said before their game at the Minnesota Wild on Saturday (5 p.m. ET; FS-N, FS-WI, NBCSCA, NHL.TV). “We’ve done a decent job of battling through that adversity, competing and sticking together as a team, and it’s going to have to be the same way tonight.”
Karlsson, who leads the Sharks with 40 points (six goals, 34 assists) in 56 games this season, missed 29 games last season because of a groin injury that also caused him to miss Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues.
Sharks forward Tomas Hertl is out for the season because of a knee injury, and forward Logan Couture has not played since Jan. 7 because of a fractured ankle.
“Our leading scorer, with (two of) our other two leading scorers already out,” Boughner said. “It’s a tough injury, it’s more adversity for our club. It’s going to have be a huge group effort. When you’re missing three guys like that, not easily replaced.”
The Sharks (25-28-4), who were 10 points behind the Arizona Coyotes for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference, recalled defenseman Jacob Middleton from the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League on Saturday. He has no points in four games with the Sharks this season.
NHL.com independent correspondent Jessi Pierce contributed to this report
