Sharks shutting down Erik Karlsson until after all-star break

The Hockey Night in Canada panel looks at the biggest news around the league, with the Ottawa Senators apparently offering a contract to Matt Duchene and the Maple Leafs on the hunt for another defenceman.

The San Jose Sharks are shutting down defenceman Erik Karlsson until after the all-star break, head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters on Monday.

Karlsson missed Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning with an undisclosed injury, and will now be out for at least two more games – Monday night against the Florida Panthers and Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals.

Following the all-star break, the Sharks don’t play again until Feb. 2 at home against the Arizona Coyotes.

After a slow start to his first season in San Jose, Karlsson has been red-hot over his last 20 games. The blue-liner has three goals and 40 assists in 47 contests so far this season.

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