Erik Karlsson injury: Defenseman resumes skating, wants to return this season

Obviously, that schedule proved to be inaccurate.

A little over a week later, general manager Bryan Murray stated that Karlsson was “obviously” getting closer to a return and that all involved hoped he would be ready for the start of the playoffs. Two days later he returned to full-team practice.

Karlsson was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and took part in all drills, according to Garrioch, as well as taking some extra skating time at the end.

After putting up 19 goals and 78 points in 81 games last season, Karlsson had six goals and 10 points in 14 games before his injury.

On Friday morning, the defenseman dressed for the team’s annual photo and then proceeded to lead the team in stretches. The Senators tapped their sticks on the ice as a sign of respect for his return. From there, Karlsson was able to participate in the practice as an extra defenseman, his first with the team since the injury.

Senators general manager Bryan Murray stated Karlsson is 100 percent and his ability to get back into game shape will determine his return.

Considering the severity -- and timing -- of the injury, it seemed assured that Karlsson would miss the remainder of the 2013 season.

Apparently, that is not as absolute a statement as originally was believed.

In the video, Karlsson is seen skating backwards and forwards, as well as moving his ankles side-to-side. In essence, it didn’t appear as though he experienced any discomfort when going through the motions of rudimentary skating moves. At the end of the clip, he is seen participating in a figure-eight drill where he is forced to make sharp movements in a small space.

The full clip can be seen here, via Dan Seguin of CBC Ottawa:

That announcement came from general manager Bryan Murray on Thursday afternoon when he met with the assembled media in Ottawa.

Murray announced that Karlsson had already underwent surgery on Thursday and is expected to miss 3-4 months while recovering. The general manager said 70 percent of the tendon had been sliced and that Karlsson was not wearing kevlar socks, which are worn by some players to protect the exposed area above the skate.