Sens feeling Karlsson's pain

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Gene J. Puskar / the associated press Senators blue-liner Erik Karlsson screams in pain after a skate blade sliced his Achilles tendon Wednesday night. (CP)

OTTAWA -- The season just got a lot more difficult for the Ottawa Senators.

They will be without star defenceman Erik Karlsson for the rest of the year. The Norris Trophy winner underwent surgery Thursday to repair his left Achilles tendon, cut by a skate blade during a game Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Senators general manager Bryan Murray said Thursday the surgery went well, but 70 per cent of Karlsson's tendon was cut. Recovery is expected to be at least three to four months, thus ending Karlsson's season.

"It was a clean cut and recovery is expected to be 100 per cent," Murray said. "But it does mean his year finishes at this time."

Murray had the opportunity to speak to Karlsson, saying the player felt he "got directed and got cut with a skate that shouldn't be where it was."

Karlsson, 22, was injured while being checked by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke. The Penguins player lifted his leg in what appeared to be an attempt to pin Karlsson against the boards, but his skate blade struck the Senators player right above his skate boot.

Karlsson immediately slumped to the ice and was in obvious pain as he tried to get up.

The NHL's department of player safety reviewed the incident and felt no supplementary discipline was required.

Murray was very disappointed with that decision but said his biggest concern now is dealing with the loss of Karlsson to his hockey club.

"I'm outraged by the fact we lost Erik Karlsson. I'm disappointed for him, I'm disappointed for the players on our team and the coaching staff and the fans of the city.

"The league suggested it was a hockey play gone bad and I suggested that Matt Cooke has somewhat of a history and maybe that should be considered as well, but I don't believe that's the approach they took. They took it as the individual act."

Some NHL players wear Kevlar socks for additional protection, but Karlsson was not one of them. Marc Methot, his defence partner, said the injury will make him try the socks.

"It's a tough call," he said. "Most of us have never even tried them on before. It certainly raises awareness now. I'm going to try them out."

Karlsson's injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the Senators (7-5), who've been decimated by injuries.

Ottawa is already without forward Jason Spezza (back surgery) and defenceman Jared Cowen (season-ending hip surgery). Peter Regin and Guillaume Latendresse are both sidelined with injuries but could be back early next week. The Senators also lost winger Milan Michalek, who twisted his knee during Wednesday night's warmup.

Murray was already working the phones looking for ways to strengthen his club prior to Karlsson's injury. He's doesn't anticipate opposing GMs will be any more charitable now that Ottawa is without its top defenceman.

Karlsson led the Senators in goals (six) and was second in points (10) through 14 games.

"We don't replace Erik Karlsson," Murray said. "We don't have anybody in that category of player.

"We hope other people eat his minutes, and defensively we just won't allow any goals... Goalie) Craig Anderson has to be great and our defence has to be great and hopefully by committee find a way to score some goals."

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 15, 2013 C7