Sharks' Couture underwent thigh surgery Thursday, return unknown
Logan Couture is riding a terrible wave of luck.
The San Jose Sharks forward underwent right thigh surgery Thursday, the club announced. Couture was forced from Wednesday's game - his second since missing 23 with a fractured fibula - with a thigh injury, "creating a Charley-horse effect."
Upon further evaluation, small arterial bleeding in the right thigh area was found, leading to the procedure.
There's no timeline for Couture's return, though the Sharks don't expect him to be out long term.
It has been a very difficult 4 month stretch personally. Really just a quick thanks to everyone for the support through this, means a lot.
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) December 11, 2015
The 26-year-old has been limited to only five games this season. He played 12:38 on Tuesday, when he drew back into the lineup against the Calgary Flames, picking up an assist, his first point of the season.
A night later, Couture played only 9:19 in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Sharks didn't practice Thursday.
San Jose's 14-13-1 in the Pacific Division, but has lost five in a row. The Sharks are averaging 2.6 goals per game, which ranks 13th in the league, and were surely hoping Couture could get them in the top 10. The sniper's scored 134 goals over the past five seasons, twice topping the 30-goal mark.
Couture set career highs in points (67) and ice time (19:04) last season, and was hoping to build on those to become more of a focal point of San Jose's offense, especially as time takes its toll on Joe Thornton, who has only 16 points in 28 games.
Couture's signed through 2018-19 at a salary and cap hit of $6 million. His breakout into one of the league's elite will have to wait. For the playoffs, the Sharks must hope.
Roster Moves
In addition to updating Couture's status, the Sharks announced they recalled Ryan Carpenter from the AHL, reassigned defenseman Mirco Mueller, and sent Ben Smith down on a conditioning stint.