The last time Erik Karlsson wasn’t in the lineup for the Pittsburgh Penguins, he wasn’t part of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
On Tuesday, Karlsson will miss his first game since the Penguins acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the San Jose Sharks in August of 2023.
An undisclosed ailment landed him on injured reserve and will keep him sidelined for a home contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning, snapping a consecutive games streak of 208 contests, the longest active streak on the team. No substantive description or timeframe of his malady was offered, but the team did volunteer that he would be evaluated in two weeks.
Beyond being in every game for the Penguins in his tenure with the club hitherto, Karlsson does just about everything for the team on the blue line. In addition to his typical station on the right side of the top pairing in five-on-five play, he operates on the top power-play unit and on the penalty kill.
The right-hander leads all the team’s non-goaltenders with an average of 23:46 of ice time per contest.
Karlsson can’t be replaced. But how is he replaced?
“All six (defensemen) pick up a couple minutes,” said defenseman Connor Clifton, a right-handed shot. “Situationally alone, he eats minutes. He’s a highly impactful player on every game that he’s in. He gets anywhere between 24 to 28 (minutes), right? He gets a lot of the game. So, we’ve obviously have to step up here a little bit. And that’s collectively. We could all pick up a little bit here or there.
“No one person is going to pick up what (Karlsson) does for us. So, we’ll miss him tonight. But that’s part of the job. The next guy comes up. It will be a good challenge.”
Kris Letang, also a right-hander, figures to absorb the bulk of that challenge. The 20-year veteran is no stranger to taking on those types of duties, having largely been the Penguins’ top defenseman for most of his two decades with the club, at least before Karlsson’s arrival.
Before Tuesday, Letang had clocked 21:50 of ice time per contest this season, a notable drop from career average of 24:07.
During Tuesday’s morning skate, Letang and regular defensive partner Brett Kulak were elevated to the top pairing while Letang assumed Karlsson’s station on the top power-play unit.
“It’s going to be the same thing for me,” Letang said. “Most of my time is five-on-five and that’s where I need to bring my game. So, a little bit of change, but have to keep on the focus on myself, not trying to do too much.”
Karlsson’s convalescence happens with the NHL’s Olympic break looming Feb. 6. Karlsson was formally selected to Sweden’s roster earlier this month.
Penguins and Sweden teammate Rickard Rakell didn’t seem too concerned over Karlsson’s availability for the Olympics.
“Not thinking about that (the Olympics) just yet,” Rakell said. “Knowing him, he would never miss that chance.”
Rust expected to return
Penguins forward Bryan Rust indicated he expects to rejoin the lineup for Tuesday’s game after missing the previous two contests due to an undisclosed injury. During the morning skate, he operated in his typical stations on the right wing of the top line and on the top power play.
Details on the ailment were scant but Rust indicated it was a lingering issue.
“It’s just kind of something that’s kind of been on and off for a few years now,” Rust said. “Just kind of popped up. Get on top of it before it gets out of control.”
Broz, Graves recalled
The Penguins recalled rookie forward Tristan Broz and defenseman Ryan Graves from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Tuesday. This marks the second recall to the NHL roster for each player this season.
Both are expected to be scratched on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Broz is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s leading scorer with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 33 games. As for Graves, the 30-year-old has cleared waivers twice this season before reporting to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 13 AHL contests, he has nine points (two goals, seven assists).
“Very strong reports (on) both guys,” Penguins coach Dan Muse said. “Both guys have been playing well. (Graves), similar to kind of the situation prior. He went down there, incredible attitude, doing all the right things, playing well there in the games, playing in a lot of situations down there as well, a lot of minutes. All reports have been very strong.
“And then the same thing with Broz. Playing a lot of situations and playing really well.”
In a corresponding transaction, forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. After being recalled to the NHL roster on Saturday, he was a healthy scratch for two games.