Erik Karlsson: End Of The Season For Norris Trophy Winner?

Erik Karlsson suffered an injury during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The player who caused the injury was Matt Cooke, during a scrum along the board. Matt Cooke. In his 13 year career, splitting between the Vancouver Canucks, a short stint

Feb 13, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke (24) reacts as he is being escorted off the ice after being assessed a game misconduct penalty against the Ottawa Senators during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

with the Washington Capitals (27 penalty minutes in 17 games), and the Pittsburgh Penguins, he acquired 1,032 penalty minutes in 887 games. I am just giving people the background story of Matt Cooke. This DOES NOT mean I blame him for the injury, but I thought this was information you all should know.

In the picture above, Matt Cooke reacts to the game misconduct penalty he received from the injury on Karlsson. Many see him as a person who looks to injure people deliberately. But many people understand that it was unintentional. “I feel horrible for Erik Karlsson, I feel bad for Ottawa,” Penguins general manager Ray Shero told ESPN.com Thursday. “It’s a bad feeling. But I can’t rationalize where that was a dirty play or anything with intent. Our fan base knows how it feels to lose a star player. It’s emotional. I know how it feels like. It’s just very unfortunate. I would not be defending Matt Cooke if I thought it was a dirty hockey play.” It has been said that the NHL will not have a hearing about suspending Cooke.

Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson had a word to say, along with goaltender Craig Anderson. “It’s a tough blow,” Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said. “Obviously, the way he’s playing, and how much he means to our team, it feels terrible and I feel really bad for him.”

Feb 13, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) is helped off the ice after being injured during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

“You knew right away there was an issue,” Senators goalie Craig Anderson said. “He’s a player who is irreplaceable. It’s unfortunate, but there are no words that can explain what we’re feeling.”

It’s obvious that Senators players, as well they should, think that it was intentional, especially after knowing his previous track record. Especially coach Paul MacLean. “We all know who’s involved in it,” Paul MacLean said. “That’s just the way it is. The injury to Erik was unfortunate, and it happens on a nothing play that could’ve potentially been whistled down.”

This injury has caused Karlsson to get Achilles Tendon surgery and is out indefinitely at the moment. On an online article I found, it talks about the recovery time of the surgery and how they do it. This excerpt comes from WebMD. “After either type of surgery, you will likely wear a cast, walking boot, or similar device for 6 to 12 weeks. At first, the cast or boot is positioned to keep the foot pointed downward as the tendon heals. The cast or boot is then adjusted gradually to put the foot in a neutral position (not pointing up or down). Many health professionals recommend starting movement and weight-bearing exercises early, before the cast or boot comes off. Your total recovery time will probably be as long as 6 months.”

So six months for recovery puts Karlsson at being fully recovered by August. Not to mention, it might take longer because he has to practice on skates and practice speed and agility on skates and on ice. It could take longer, but then again he could have a speedy recovery. Whether this is a career ender or not is uncertain, but it’s a good possibility that he will be back next season.

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