Markus Nutivaara, a member of the Florida Panthers for two seasons before he signed as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks in July, will see another doctor regarding his nagging lower-body injury and it appears surgery has not been ruled out for the veteran defenseman.
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, Sharks coach David 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 had missed 81 of 82 games 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.
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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.”