Karlsson says ankle will be better, wherever he plays: report
Senators defenseman fully recovered from surgery last offseason
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Erik Karlsson said his left ankle is finally fully healed more than one year after surgery, The Athletic reported Thursday.
"I think it's better now than it was before because you work on it so much," the Ottawa Senators defenseman said. "I'm very optimistic moving forward from here. It shouldn't be an issue for me whatsoever, so that's nice. …
"[It's] 110 (percent) probably, it's that good."
Karlsson had surgery to repair torn tendons June 14, 2017. He missed the first five games of last season while recovering.
The 28-year-old has been the subject of trade rumors since not signing an eight-year contract extension reportedly offered by the Senators on July 1. He has one year remaining on his contract, with the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning among those to reportedly make the Senators an offer.
Video: Will Erik Karlsson begin next season in Ottawa?
Karlsson, who could become a free agent after this season, declined to comment to The Athletic on his future with the Senators or elsewhere.
Ottawa finished 15th in the Eastern Conference one season after losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime.
"As bad as it is to miss the playoffs, I think for me it was good timing in a way because I got time to work on [my ankle]," Karlsson said. "I worked with the doctor who did the surgery a little bit. I got him to help me out, and the trainer that I have is really good.
"I'm seeing another ankle specialist in Ottawa a lot too. Mostly it's just getting strength back and getting used to the feeling, which takes a bit of time now and that time is past. I've got my new normal again and it feels great."
Karlsson, the Senators captain, had 62 points (nine goals, 53 assists) last season, his fewest since 2012-13, when he played 17 games before tearing his Achilles tendon. He has won the Norris Trophy and finished second in voting twice in the past four seasons.