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Sens’ Anderson: ‘Not far-fetched’ for Karlsson to return this year

Ottawa Senators v Toronto Maple Leafs

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 17: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators stretches in the warm-up prior to a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 17, 2012 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

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Earlier today, we passed along news that Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson participated in some skating drills, less than two months after suffering a season-ending lacerated Achilles tendon.

Now it sounds like he’s eying a return to action.

Despite Sens GM Bryan Murray saying Karlsson’s year was “finished” on Feb. 14, Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson suggests his GM might be wrong.

“It’s not that far-fetched,” Anderson told Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun about Karlsson’s potential return before the end of the regular season.

“I saw video of him skating this morning and I was quite impressed,” Anderson quipped. “He skates better than I do.”

Karlsson suffered the injury roughly seven weeks ago and, after undergoing immediate surgery to repair the tendon, was given a recovery window of 3-4 months.

The “silver lining” at the time was he only suffered a 70 percent laceration. A fully severed tendon required a shortening process that could have significantly delayed Karlsson’s rehab.

As for the possibility of returning this year...

The Sens have 10 games remaining in the regular season, with their season finale on Saturday, Apr. 27 against the Flyers.

That would give Karlsson nearly three more weeks of rehab before getting in a game prior to the playoffs, assuming Ottawa makes it.

The Senators currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with 44 points, four clear of ninth-place New Jersey with a game in hand.