Kraken's Yanni Gourde Out 5-7 Weeks After Surgery

Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken is set to miss five to seven weeks following successful surgery to repair a sports hernia, which may prevent him from playing before the NHL trade deadline on March 7. General manager Ron Francis confirmed the surgery, emphasizing the impact of Gourde's absence on the team's playoff aspirations, as they are currently on the fringe of contention. As a pending unrestricted free agent, Gourde was expected to be a sought-after rental player for contenders, despite his declining performance this season, where he has recorded only six goals and 10 assists in 35 games. His experience, including two Stanley Cup victories with the Tampa Bay Lightning, still makes him an appealing option for teams looking for depth. The Kraken may have to lower their asking price given his injury status, similar to past trades involving injured players. Gourde's average ice time has decreased, reflecting his struggles this season, but he remains a reliable two-way player.