Sharks' Karlsson to play in All-Star Game

Star defenseman Erik Karlsson will represent host San Jose at this weekend's All-Star Game after missing the Sharks' final three games before the break with a lower-body injury. Karlsson told reporters Thursday he feels healthy enough to suit up for the exhibition.

"It's in San Jose," he said at media day. "It's for this organization and this city and this community, this fan base. I'm a part of that, and I want to do my part, and it's important for me to be here for this weekend and give them back something. So I'm very happy that I was fortunate to participate. I'm looking forward to it, I think, just as much as everybody else and especially with my two teammates (Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski)." In his first season with the Sharks, Karlsson has three goals and 40 assists in 47 games. He was named an All-Star for the sixth time, the previous five instances coming as a member of the Ottawa Senators.

"It's a great way to showcase what we have to offer, and I'm extremely excited and proud to be a San Jose Shark," Karlsson said of his new team hosting the All-Star Game. Karlsson had one goal and 24 assists while recording at least one point in each of the 14 games he played from Dec. 7-Jan. 8. The NHL doesn't recognize it as a point-scoring streak because he missed two of his team's game in that stretch due to a suspension for an illegal check to the head of the Los Angeles Kings' Austin Wagner.

In the final season of a seven-year contract, Karlsson, 28, is well aware of his situation. He says there is no timetable on his contract talks with San Jose. "Whatever goes on is going to be handled privately," Karlsson said. "(San Jose general manager) Doug Wilson has been great with us ever since we got here. He's been very respectful. I appreciate that a lot, both me and my wife do. When the time comes for a decision to be made, whenever that is, I think they've done everything they possibly can to give us the most information we need to make the right decision.

"We came in here with an open mind, and I think we're going to do everything we can to make the best possible decision for everyone, and especially ourselves with the information that we have at the time. They provided more than enough." --Field Level Media