Karlsson underwent groin surgery, should be ready for start of season

Erik Karlsson is on the mend.

The superstar defenseman underwent surgery on May 31 to address a groin injury he suffered during the 2018-19 campaign with the San Jose Sharks, the club announced Wednesday.

Karlsson has started his rehabilitation and is expected to recover in time to suit up for the beginning of next season.

The 29-year-old was limited to 53 regular-season games this past year and was noticeably laboring toward the end of the Sharks' playoff run.

Karlsson logged fewer than 11 minutes of ice time in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues and did not play in Game 6, the contest in which the Blues eliminated the Sharks.

He can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.