Looks like Erik Karlsson’s remarkable recovery from a sliced Achilles tendon is just about complete.
On Wednesday, Ottawa head coach Paul MacLean said the reigning Norris winner is at the point of his rehab where -- if Karlsson feels he’s ready to come back -- he’ll be put into the lineup.
“If he feels confident it’s time for him to play,” MacLean told reporters after practice, “he’ll play.”
Karlsson hasn’t played since suffering the injury in mid-February. When news of the Achilles laceration first broke, Sens GM Bryan Murray said the 22-year-old’s season was done.
Apparently Murray underestimated Karlsson’s resolve.
The Swedish rearguard has defied medical estimates to get back onto the ice and in a position to return before the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Ottawa has three games left in the regular season -- including Thursday’s tilt in Washington against the Capitals -- and are still looking to clinch a postseason berth.
As for other Karlsson-related notes...
-- Sportsnet’s Ian Mendes confirmed Karlsson will wear cut-resistant socks upon his return to action.
-- He has been reuinted with Marc Methot, his defense partner from earlier in the year.
-- If Karlsson does return on Thursday, he’ll have missed exactly 71 days (31 games) with an injury that shelves most people for 3-4 months.