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Agent: ‘No definitive timelines’ for Karlsson’s return

Erik Karlsson

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates his third period goal against the Florida Panthers of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. Thursday, March 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Mitchell)

AP

You’ll excuse Ottawa Senators fans for getting a little nervous.

The Sens lost their fifth straight last night in Tampa Bay. With nine games left in the regular season, all of a sudden the playoffs aren’t such a sure thing anymore.

With that in mind, when, uh, might defenseman Erik Karlsson be back? Because the Sens could probably use him right about now.

Last year’s Norris Trophy winner has -- miraculously, some say -- been skating by himself in Ottawa, and there’s reason to believe he could return from a lacerated Achilles tendon sooner than expected.

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, warns Karlsson’s agent, Craig Oster in an email to the Ottawa Citizen.

“Erik is continuing to progress,” Oster wrote Wednesday morning.

“He and the organization are going to ensure that he is fully healthy and at minimal risk of complications before he considers a return to play.

“The healing process seems to be going well. No definitive timelines.”

The Sens play Thursday in Philadelphia and Friday in New Jersey before finishing their seven-game road trip Monday in Boston.

Related: Salo says Karlsson’s Achilles will be stronger than ever