Kraken's Gourde out 5-7 weeks after sports hernia surgery

Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde underwent sports hernia surgery Friday and will miss approximately five-to-seven weeks, the team announced.

The timeline likely puts Gourde out of action through the March 7 trade deadline. As a pending unrestricted free agent, Gourde is a strong candidate to get traded with the Kraken eight points out of a playoff spot entering Friday. There'll presumably be a strong market for Gourde's services with centers in high demand, even with his injury.

The 33-year-old has produced six goals and 10 assists in 35 games this season while averaging 15:34 per contest, his lowest time on ice in his four years in Seattle. He's averaged 19 goals and 47 points per season throughout his 10-year NHL career.

Gourde is a feisty, battle-tested center who excels defensively despite his 5-foot-9, 174-pound frame. He won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning before getting drafted by Seattle in the 2021 expansion draft.