Karlsson’s return brings hope on and off the ice April 22, 2013

With the Ottawa Senators in the middle of a battle to lock down a playoff spot, the return of Erik Karlsson to practice–full contact at that--was an inspiring sight to say the least. Cleared for regular team drills on Friday, his teammates gave him a hero’s welcome, tapping their sticks as he made his way on to the ice.  It was the first time he had skated with the team since having his achilles tendon cut by an errant Matt Cooke skate on February 13.

For players and management to watch him practice with the team—on a 4^th pairing with Mike Lundin—it must have been like seeing a ghost.  After all, Karlsson was supposed to return in 4-6 months, not 6-8 weeks. Ottawa GM Bryan Murray dispelled any notions that Karlsson’s return to the team was premature in any way.

“He’s ready. He just has to get in game shape now, have a few more practices, and then we’re hoping that somewhere down the road he’ll get himself ready to play,” said Murray. “The doctors checked him out again (Thursday) and we wouldn’t have him out there if he wasn’t fit. We wouldn’t want to put him in a game until he felt he was physically ready to play.”

There is no official timeline for Karlsson’s return to action, but being cleared for contact by team doctors was a first big step. On Friday, he passed another test by finishing practice without any noticeable pain. Still, the defending Norris Trophy winner does not want to get ahead of himself.

“Every injured player wants to get back as quick as possible. I’m not going to put myself in a situation where I don’t feel comfortable and I’m not going to jeopardize anything going into next season,” said Karlsson.

“I’m not going to take any stupid decisions and I don’t think anyone working around me either is going to give me bad advice. We’re going to have to wait to see how it feels going forward practicing with the team.”

Karlsson will not be in the lineup tonight when the Senators take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, but you get the sense that Friday’s practice infused new life into the squad.  Awe-inspiring, miraculous, call it what you will. But Erik Karlsson’s imminent return to the ice definitely has Senator players smiling, and has renewed a quiet confidence throughout the dressing room and fan base alike.