Hertl returns to San Jose for MRI
The Czech forward will undergo further testing back in San Jose.
San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl flew back to San Jose today to undergo an MRI, head coach Pete DeBoer told reporters today.
Hertl left last night’s game against St. Louis in the second period, and replays indicated that Hertl appeared to have injured his right knee, according to CSN Bay Area’s Kevin Kurz.
That is the same knee that was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Dustin Brown in 2013, and that was injured again this June in the Stanley Cup Final. There is some cause for optimism, as DeBoer told reporters that “it didn’t look really serious” on the replay.
Melker Karlsson, who was injured in the Sharks’ win over Tampa Bay on Saturday, also did not practice, but has not been ruled out for tomorrow, according to the Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka. Chris Tierney and Brent Burns also did not skate.
If Karlsson does not play, the Sharks are currently carrying enough forwards to mitigate his and Hertl’s absence for the final game of the road trip tomorrow against the Arizona Coyotes. Micheal Haley has not suited up in nearly two weeks, but has been with the team for the duration of the road trip.
Pete DeBoer ruled out calling up any players for tomorrow’s game, and told reporters that the Sharks “have enough players here right now even in a worst-case scenario.”