Kraken’s Andre Burakovsky out six to eight weeks

The Seattle Kraken has announced that forward Andre Burakovsky is expected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing a procedure to address an upper-body injury.

Burakovsky was injured during a game against the New York Rangers on Oct. 21. The Swedish winger was hit into the boards by Jacob Trouba during the second period and left holding his shoulder, with coach Dave Hakstol originally saying he didn’t believe the injury was “short term.”

The 28-year-old winger has two assists in six games this year.

Burakovsky missed just under half of the 2022-23 season with a groin muscle tear, ending his inaugural season with Seattle with 13 goals and 39 points in 49 games. Had he remained healthy, it would have been close to his personal best of 61 points set the year before when he helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup.

Drafted 23rd overall in 2013, Burakovsky quickly became a consistent goal-scorer early in his NHL Career. He reached the 30-point mark twice with Washington before truly finding his calling with Colorado, recording at least 44 points in each of his three seasons in Denver. He was especially good during the 2020 playoffs, scoring seven goals and 17 points in 15 playoff games.

With the Kraken off to a difficult start this year, Burakovsky’s absence will leave a significant hole in the team’s top six. The Kraken are 1-4-1 over six games, putting them sixth in the Pacific Division. The Kraken surprised the league by beating the Colorado Avalanche and nearly advancing to the Western Conference final in the club’s first playoff run last year. But early on, the team is struggling to get production at both ends of the ice. Defenseman Vince Dunn leads the team with five points in six games, while starting goalie Philipp Grubauer is seeking his first win after four starts.