San Jose Sharks all-star forward Tomas Hertl will undergo surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss several weeks, general manager Mike Grier announced Monday.
In a statement, Hertl said he has been experiencing soreness in his knee "on and off this season" and that the decision to have surgery was made after he returned from the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto last week.
"I have made the decision to have this procedure done now so that I can return to 100 per cent as soon as possible," Hertl said. "I look forward to returning to the ice and getting back with my teammates as soon as I can."
Hertl, 30, leads the Sharks in both goals (15) and points (34). He is in his 11th season with the Sharks and the second year of an eight-year, $65.1 million contract.
At 14-32-5, the Sharks are near the bottom of the NHL standings and expected to be sellers at next month's trade deadline. Hertl was recently asked about his future with the organization in an interview with The Mercury News.
“It’s not an easy situation, where we are. We know that,” Hertl said on Jan. 29. “We will see. It’s probably not for now, but definitely, after the season, again, what (are) the plans here long-term?"
For now, Hertl remains a member of the Sharks, and Grier says his star centre's decision to have knee surgery has not damaged their relationship.
"Due to the nature of this injury, the Sharks were completely comfortable with Tomas' decision to participate in the All-Star Weekend, and we respect his decision to have this procedure done now," Grier said in a statement.
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