Erik Karlsson hasn't played close to his 2011-12 Norris Trophy form yet this year. He had four shots and a minus-3 rating in 24:37 of ice time against Anaheim Sunday night. Karlsson also has one goal and one assist in five games this season. The good news is that he still has plenty of time to turn things around, so don't be quick to write him off.

Erik Karlsson collected the game-winner for the Ottawa Senators, who barely slipped past the Buffalo Sabres 1-0 on Friday. Karlsson collected four SOG, which is almost pedestrian for a blueliner who fires an almost unheard of amount of pucks at the net. He logged just under 26 minutes on Friday, so worries about his health might be overblown. Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris earned the assists.

Erik Karlsson contributed two assists in Ottawa's 3-1 pre-season win against Winnipeg Sunday. "It's the first game of the year and I don't think I felt any different than any other first game of the year," Karlsson said. "I obviously had some small issues out there, but I don't think that's something I didn't expect." He added that his Achilles tendon felt "good" in his first game action of the year, which is very good news.

Although Erik Karlsson's previously lacerated Achilles tendon isn't what it used to be, he doesn't think it will be a problem this season. Karlsson missed most of the 2013 campaign after Matt Cooke's skate sliced his Achilles tendon. "There's a number of things that are different," Karlsson said. "But I have to get used to that. I still feel I have all the strength that I need. It's a little bit about connection down there, but it shouldn't be an issue. We haven't played any games yet, but I'm not concerned at all it's going to affect my game in any way."

Erik Karlsson doesn't think the numbness he feels in his left foot will hamper him during the upcoming season. He isn't sure when the feeling will go away, but other than that he said he felt good after taking to the ice on Monday in Ottawa. Feel free to draft him with confidence this year because he's still the most valuable defenseman in fantasy hockey.

Erik Karlsson expects to be 100 percent when the regular season begins. He is currently in Sweden where he is participating in some Olympic training. He spoke with Swedish reporter Marie Lehmann and said that even though he isn't fully back to normal yet, he feels he will be ready by the time Ottawa plays at Buffalo on Oct. 4 in their 2013-14 opener. Karlsson missed most of the lockout-shortened campaign because of severed Achilles tendon.

The Ottawa Senators believe they can succeed with Sergei Gonchar on their roster. The pending free agent simply wasn't in Otawa's plans for the future so they salvaged what they could from the asset. The healthy return of Erik Karlsson, along with the presence of Marc Methot, Eric Gryba, Patrick Wiercioch, Chris Phillips, Jared Cowen and Mark Borowiecki leaves the Senators in a decent position even without the 39-year-old blueliner.

Erik Karlsson doesn't regret his quick return to the lineup from his lacerated Achilles tendon, but he admitted that he wasn't play at 100 percent. "It doesn't feel good. I'm just going to go home and rehab it now and it give it some more time," said Karlsson. "Hopefully by the start of the next (season) it will be back to where it was." He is expected to require two to three months of rehab.

Erik Karlsson collected two assists and five shots in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to Pittsburgh. The supremely talented defenseman had been struggling in his previous three matches against the Penguins in the series. Going into Wednesday's contest, Karlsson had no points, eight shots, six penalty minutes and a minus-4 rating after he looked very good versus Montreal in the first round of the playoffs.

Erik Karlsson is struggling to regain his form after returning to action from a sliced Achilles tendon. He has not looked good against the Penguins and was particulalry vulnerable on Pittsburgh's first goal Friday night as Sidney Crosby blew by him and beat Craig Anderson. As a result, Sens' coach Paul MacLean cut Karlsson's ice time for the remainder of the contest. If you are relying on Karlsson in a playoff pool, we suggest you look for alternatives until the Sens' rearguard shows he is in better game shape.