Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson says his recently operated-on left Achilles tendon isn’t feeling quite normal, but he expects to be 100 per cent by the time the NHL season starts.
Currently in Sweden taking part in Olympic training with the national program, the 23-year-old told Swedish reporter Marie Lehmann that he’s still feeling the effects of the horrific injury that sidelined him for 10 weeks.
Despite his current discomfort on the ice, the 2012 Norris Trophy winner is confident he’ll be ready when the puck drops in October.
Karlsson was off to the best start of his young career when the 2013 campaign kicked off in January, racking up six goals and four assists in 14 games before his Achilles was cut by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke’s skate on Feb. 13.
Karlsson shocked the hockey world when he returned to the Sens’ lineup on April 25, much earlier than expected.
While he didn’t perform quite like himself upon his return, the young Swede was still able to notch four assists in the final three regular season games and eight points in 10 post-season games.
Ottawa kicks off the 2013-14 season in Buffalo against the Sabres on Oct. 4.
