Sharks defenseman had setback in recovery from injury; surgery a possibility?

Markus Nutivaara, who signed as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks in July after two seasons with the Florida Panthers, will see another doctor regarding his nagging lower-body injury and it appears surgery has not been ruled out for the veteran defenseman.

Sharks coach David Quinn said Nutivaara had a setback during his recovery after he was injured early in training camp following a Sept. 25 preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings. Nutivaara did not play in another preseason game and remains nowhere close to playing in the regular season, Quinn said.

“He’s seeing another doctor, so we’ll see how that goes,” Quinn said.

Nutivaara, 28, was signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract by the Sharks after he was limited to just one game played last season with the same lower-body injury last season. He’s played 275 games in his career, including 244 with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2016 to 2020.

Nutivaara, who averaged close to 16 minutes of ice time per game with Columbus, began training camp as Erik Karlsson’s defense partner as the Sharks hoped he could recapture the form he showed earlier in his NHL career.

Four years ago, Nuitvaara had 21 points in 80 games as he averaged 17:41 in ice time per game.

“He’s frustrated, but he’s got a good attitude and there’s nothing he can do,” Quinn said. “He’s going to see the next doctor and continue to do what he can to get back. I feel so bad for the guy. You hate to see it.”