Senators' Karlsson: 'It's going to be a while'

OTTAWA -- Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson spoke with reporters Monday night to offer an update on his condition.

Karlsson was sidelined with a partially cut Achilles tendon during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 13. The injury required immediate surgery to repair, likely ending the season for the 2011-12 Norris trophy winner. The Swede had six goals and four assists through 14 games prior to the injury.

"It's going well," Karlsson said. "It's baby steps, but I've been feeling pretty good since the [surgery]. It's tough to say when I can skate again. As of right now, it's going to be a while. Anything can happen, but as of right now, we're not aiming for a certain date.

"The guys have been playing great, and that helps my motivation as well. I'm looking forward to seeing them hopefully go into the playoffs, and if that time comes for me, then a decision will be made. But as of right now, [the doctors] don't really aim for [me] playing this year. It's going forward right now, and there haven't been any setbacks or anything like that. It's just going to take a lot of time and patience to get to 100 percent again."