Erik Karlsson out until at least mid-March after forearm surgery

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Sharks D Erik Karlsson undergoes surgery on left forearm, out until at least mid-March

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/25/22

The San Jose Sharks are currently treading water in the NHL standings at 21-19-2, tied with the Calgary Flames (19-12-6) and Dallas Stars (21-16-2) in the middle of the Western Conference with 44 points. They'll have to continue for at least a good chunk of the remainder of the regular season without one of their best defenseman.

#SJSharks defenseman @ErikKarlsson65 underwent successful surgery on his left forearm at Kaiser Permanente on Monday.

He is expected to be re-evaluated in mid-March.https://t.co/msyUWzMIaT
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 25, 2022

The 13th-year pro is currently tied for third on the Sharks with his 18 assists, tied for fourth in goals with eight and is in fifth place with 26 points. Karlsson leads San Jose with eight power-play assists and has a pair of game-winning goals as well.

The 31-year-old was selected 15th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators and spent the first nine seasons of his career with the franchise. In his third year in the league, Karlsson made his first of six All-Star teams and won his first James Norris Memorial Trophy (awarded to the NHL's top defenseman).

Karlsson nabbed another All-Star nod during the 2014-2015 campaign and also became just the 13th player in NHL history to win multiple James Norris Memorial Trophies. The native of Landsbro, Sweden, earned two more All-Star spots during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons before eventually being traded to the Sharks in September 2018.

Karlsson has 126 goals and 392 assists for 518 points in his 627-game career.

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