68 Melker Karlsson RW

Sharks' Melker Karlsson: Returns to practice

Karlsson won't be in action with the Sharks on Tuesday, but could hit the ice in Thursday's preseason matchup with Anaheim. With several players shipped off to Ottawa, the Swede should be in line for a bigger role this season.

Sharks' Melker Karlsson: Could practice soon

Melker isn't the most important Karlsson on the Sharks now, that would be newly acquired Erik, but he has provided depth for San Jose for a few seasons now. If the 28-year-old is able to start practicing soon, he should be ready to go by the beginning of the regular season.

Sharks' Melker Karlsson: Working through upper-body issue

If he can get healthy before Opening Night, Karlsson is certainly capable of challenging for a top-six role this season. The natural center came one point shy of registering back-to-back 20-point campaigns, but he should continue to challenge for that threshold this season.

Sharks' Melker Karlsson: Blanked by Golden Knights

Including the regular season, Karlsson ended the year on a 28-game goal drought. During that stretch, the winger tallied a paltry five assists, 28 shots and 40 hits. Given his limited offensive upside, the 27-year-old figures to continue to slot into a bottom-six role heading into the 2018-19 campaign.

Sharks' Melker Karlsson: Will be ready for playoffs

While Karlsson may not be ready for Saturday's regular-season finale Saturday against the Wild, it appears he will be ready when the Sharks open their postseason run next week. If that's the case, the 27-year-old Swede finishes out the 2017-18 regular-season campaign having amassed eight goals and 11 assists in 71 games.