John Hayden has surgery, to miss remainder of regular season

Edmonton Oilers v Seattle Kraken

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 18: John Hayden #15 of the Seattle Kraken fights Klim Kostin #21 of the Edmonton Oilers at Climate Pledge Arena on March 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images

Seattle Kraken forward John Hayden underwent surgery on Monday for a lower body injury, and will need three months to recover, the team announced on Tuesday.

Hayden will miss the remainder of the regular season and the injury timeline, with a recovery period through June, puts his entire season in jeopardy even if the Kraken were to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Hayden left Saturday's 6-4 Kraken loss to Edmonton at Climate Pledge Arena after he fell awkwardly in a fight with the Oilers' Klim Kostin.

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound forward was called up six days ago as a potential postseason reinforcement, known for a punishing and physical style of play while holding 247 games of NHL experience with the Kraken, Sabres, Coyotes, Devils, and Blackhawks.

Hayden had two goals in seven games this season with the Kraken while also making a big impact with the AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he delivered a career-high 17 goals and 33 points with 58 penalty minutes in 47 games.

Hayden will be a free agent this summer, originally signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Kraken for the league minimum last July.

The Kraken, with 13 games remaining in the regular season and six points up on a wild card spot in the Western Conference, host Dallas on Tuesday at 5:30pm PT to open a four game road trip.


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