Another star Golden Knights forward added to injury list

Add another key forward to the Golden Knights’ growing injury list.

Center William Karlsson is the latest to be sidelined after he sustained a broken foot in Friday’s victory over Anaheim and is expected to miss approximately six weeks, a person familiar with the injury confirmed Monday.

The Knights play at Toronto on Tuesday.

Coach Pete DeBoer did not address Karlsson’s status but is expected to provide an update after Tuesday’s morning skate.

Karlsson appeared to go down from friendly fire, as he was hit by a shot from teammate Shea Theodore with about 7:30 remaining in the third period of the Knights’ 5-4 shootout victory. He took three more shifts in regulation and was on the ice for 2:26 of the overtime.

Karlsson has been one of the Knights’ most durable players, appearing in 234 straight games with Columbus and the Knights before he was injured in January 2020. Last season, Karlsson played in all 56 games.

The Knights are already without forwards Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Nolan Patrick, and defenseman Zach Whitecloud. Forward Mattias Janmark missed the past two games but was expected to make the road trip, while winger Alex Tuch remains on long-term injured reserve.

Pacioretty, Stone and Karlsson accounted for more than 30 percent of the Knights’ goals the past two seasons.

Without Karlsson in the lineup, the Knights’ are left with leading scorer Chandler Stephenson, Nicolas Roy, waiver wire signing Michael Amadio and rookie Jake Leschyshyn as centers. Rookie Peyton Krebs also could slide over from the wing.

Karlsson’s injury also could complicate any potential trade the Knights have in the works for Buffalo’s Jack Eichel. The roster might not be able to withstand any more departures to acquire the Sabres’ injured star center.

In eight games, Karlsson produced one goal and three points and was third among the team’s forwards in average ice time at 18:56 per game.

Patrick on mend

The Knights are optimistic Patrick is not facing a lengthy absence with his upper-body injury, though he did not make the trip to Canada and remains day to day.

Patrick missed all of the 2019-20 season with a migraine disorder that he said was caused by a concussion he sustained March 3, 2019, when he was struck in the back of the head by a shot from New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck.

“I do not think there is any risk to his long term future,” general manager Kelly McCrimmon wrote in a text message.

Patrick scored his first goal with the Knights on Oct. 22 against Edmonton but was injured in the same game. He missed Friday’s game against the Ducks.

The Knights start a six-game homestand Nov. 9.

Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.