![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/karlsson011826.jpg\")
Erik Karlsson at practice Sunday, Jan. 18\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tErik Karlsson at practice Sunday, Jan. 18\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
In somewhat of a surprise, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson joined his teammates for practice Sunday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, albeit in a white, non-contact jersey.<\/p>\n
Karlsson went on IR six days earlier because of a lower-body injury, and at that time the team said he would be further evaluated in two weeks. Then he was back at practice in less than a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo change in status, but it was good to have him out there,\u201d Penguins coach Dan Muse said of Karlsson, who participated in all drills except a short-rink, limited-numbers scrimmage.<\/p>\n
Muse said Karlsson would travel with the team on a four-game Western swing that begins Monday in Seattle.<\/p>\n
Although it\u2019s unlikely Karlsson or any player can will themselves to recovery more quickly from an injury, there is a time element for him. Not only would it help him and the team to get in some games before the Olympic break, but Karlsson also has been vocal about how much playing for Team Sweden will mean at the 2026 Games. NHL players will be participating for the first time since 2014.<\/p>\n
Karlsson, 35, has four goals, 33 points in 44 games and has a minus-1 plus-minus after being minus-24 last season.<\/p>\n
He has said he has used Olympics as a motivation in what has been a strong season for him, especially after he was not part of the initial six named to Team Sweden last summer. He was named to the squad when the full roster was announced last month.<\/p>\n
Team Sweden\u2019s first game is Feb. 11, so things could get tight in terms of timing. If Karlsson is still out, the Swedes could leave him home and name a replacement, or they could include him if it seems likely he would return early in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Ryan Graves Back In?<\/p>\n
There was one change the Penguins showed in practice \u2014 defenseman Ryan Graves skated on the third pairing with Connor Clifton. Ryan Shea had been skating with Clifton with Karlsson out. It\u2019s unclear if the team will make that switch for Monday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Graves was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton in late December and was a healthy scratch the past three games since being recalled.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore he went down, he was playing pretty well,\u201d Muse said. \u201cHe was playing pretty well. We were pretty happy with that pairing with him and (Clifton). We wanted it today in practice, and we\u2019ll make some decisions for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lines and pairings looked like this:<\/p>\n
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust<\/p>\n
Egor Chinakhov-Tommy Novak-Evgeni Malkin<\/p>\n
Anthony Mantha-Ben Kindel-Justin Brazeau<\/p>\n
Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari<\/p>\n
Brett Kulak-Kris Letang<\/p>\n
Parker Wotherspoon-Ryan Shea<\/p>\n
Jack St. Ivany-Erik Karlsson<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: Dan Muse<\/a> erik karlsson<\/a> Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> Shelly Anderson<\/a> <\/p>\n