Erik Karlsson doesn't believe that Matt Cooke meant to slice his Achilles tendon, but he does not absolve Cooke from blame entirely. In speaking to the media about the incident Karlsson said, "I refuse to believe that anyone would do that [on purpose],". But he later added, "I think the situation could have been prevented. I don't think it would have happened it if was another type of player." Seems to be a little contradiction here. In any event, there is now bad blood between these two teams now. Circle Monday April 22nd on your calendar. That is next time these two teams face it each other. We would make sure Chris Neil is active if you have him on your fantasy team.

Erik Karlsson says he looked down at his leg after he was cut and knew he had torn his Achilles right away. Karlsson said Friday that he plans to return at 100 percent. The normal recovery time for a lacerated Achilles is at least six months, but it can take longer for the player to regain his old form. Karlsson also said he hasn't returned a text message from Matt Cooke, whose skate was responsible for the injury. "He knows exactly what he's doing out there. And that's why I'm sitting here in a cast," Karlsson said Friday.

Erik Karlsson will likely need at least six months to fully recover following surgery to repair his lacerated Achilles tendon. The success rate is very high, but based on past recovery times for hockey players, six months seems to be the time table. It took Sami Salo six months and two weeks to recover following his in July 2011 and Teemu Selanna about that amount of time in January 1994 when he had it done. The good news, obviously, is that once recovered, it hasn't seemed to negatively affect a player's career.

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray announced Thursday that Erik Karlsson is expected to miss three to four months after he underwent surgery to repair a 70-percent tear in his Achilles. His absence will leave a gaping hole on the team's blueline. Karlsson had been averaging 27:03 of ice time per game this season. The Senators defenseman and reigning Norris Trophy winner was off to a strong start with six goals, 10 points and a plus-6 rating in 14 games. He is also the NHL shot leader with a whopping total of 63.

Erik Karlsson has sustained a laceration to his left Achilles and will be out indefinitely. Last year's Norris Trophy winner will need surgery, and it's highly unlikely that he'll play again this season. It's a massive blow to the Senators and fantasy owners alike. Karlsson was injured when Matt Cooke's skate contacted him as the two players battled along the boards Wednesday night. The Sens will now be without two of their best players: Karlsson and Jason Spezza. Milan Michalek also missed Wednesday's game with a lower body injury.

Erik Karlsson departed Wednesday's game due to a cut that seemed to be caused by taking a skate to the back of his left leg. Matt Cooke's skate contacted him below the calf but just above the heel. Karlsson was limping badly and needed to be helped off the ice. He will not return.

Erik Karlsson scored the first shorthanded goal of his career and it held up as the game-winning tally in Ottawa's 2-0 victory against Buffalo. The offensive dynamo fired nine shots at Ryan Miller in the contest. Karlsson was the NHL's shot leader going into the night with a jaw-dropping total of 53 in only 12 games. He also logged over 27 minutes versus Buffalo. He just does it all and is the best defenseman to own in fantasy hockey. Erik Condra had Ottawa's other goal in the match.

Erik Karlsson has topped 30 minutes of ice time in each of his last two games. He played 32:08 against Montreal on Sunday and he spent 31:15 on the ice during Tuesday's game versus Buffalo. Karlsson is currently third in the league in average ice time per contest at 28:17. The mobile defenseman has been leaned on heavily 10 games into the 2013 season and he has responded with four goals, four assists, 39 shots and a plus-5 rating. Karlsson said he feels great but the Senators may want to make sure they don't tire him out as the campaign progresses.

Erik Karlsson netted his fourth goal of the season in a 4-3 win over Buffalo Tuesday night. Karlsson is the clear top dog among NHL blue liners in terms of fantasy value and his eight points in 10 games have him nearly matching his exceptional pace of last season. Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Neil and Chris Phillips also recorded markers in the winning effort.

Erik Karlsson had four shots on goal in Ottawa's 1-0 loss to the Hurricanes on Friday night. The defenseman also was a minus-one and had two penalty minutes, while playing a game-high 29:03. It was a rare off game for the stud blueliner who has seven points on the year.