Sharks’Karlsson undergoes groin surgery

SAN JOSE — Defenseman Erik Karlsson underwent surgery last week to address a groin injury that he suffered this season, the Sharks said in a news release Wednesday.

Karlsson underwent the surgery on May 31. The Sharks said the surgery was successful and that Karlsson has started rehabilitation. Karlsson, slated to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, is expected to be ready for the 2019-20 season.

Karlsson first suffered the injury in mid-January and missed 27 of the Sharks’ final 33 regular season games.

Karlsson, 29, who was acquired by the Sharks from the Ottawa Senators in a blockbuster trade just before the start of training camp in September. He started slow with 15 points in 26 games, but finished the regular season with 45 points in 53 games.

“He’s elite,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said May 23, two days after the Sharks were eliminated from the playoffs. “That six-eight weeks when he was in, used to our group, understood where he fit, I thought we were the best team in hockey. Unfortunately, we didn’t have him for very long.”

Playing at less than 100% at the start of the playoffs, Karlsson dressed for 19 of the Sharks’ 20 postseason games and finished with 16 points as the team advanced to the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues.

“Erik tried. Erik wanted to be out there,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said May 23. “His heart was in the right place every night to try to get out there and help us.