Erik Karlsson expects to be ready for Penguins’ season-opener

Erik Karlsson expects to be on the ice when the Pittsburgh Penguins open their season.

Karlsson missed the start of training camp and has been day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

The 34-year-old defenceman was on the ice for practice Saturday and told reporters he will be ready for the team’s first game Wednesday against the New York Rangers.

Karlsson did not play in any pre-season games but has been skating in practice the last few days.

Karlsson heads into this season with the team looking for a bounce-back year after missing the playoffs. Karlsson had 11 goals and 45 assists in his first season with the Penguins, after being traded their by San Jose in August of 2023.

The Swedish won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenceman for the 2022-23 season, when he recorded 101 points with the Sharks. It was the third Norris Trophy of his career.