Brett Pesce is expected to be out 2-4 weeks for the Carolina Hurricanes after having surgery Tuesday to correct a lower-body injury.
“Bad news there," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said Wednesday before the team announced that the defenseman had surgery. "I was hoping we would say, 'Hey, he’s a day or two away,' but that’s definitely not the case. I can’t tell you more than that. It’s not what we had hoped."
Pesce, who has missed two games since he played 19:37 in a 7-4 loss at the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 19, has two points (one goal, one assist) in five games this season. He did not miss a game last season, with 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in 82 games, as well as six points (two goals, four assists) in 15 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The Hurricanes (3-4-0) have lost three straight, outscored 16-8, after a 3-1-0 start. Carolina ranks last in the NHL in goals against per game (4.71) and 28th in League on the penalty kill (68.8 percent).
The Hurricanes could get some reinforcements when they host the Kraken at PNC Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, BSSO). Forward Andrei Svechnikov could make his season debut, and goalie Frederik Andersen could also return.
Svechnikov has not played this season after sustaining an ACL injury in March.
“We’ll see," Brind'Amour said. "We’re kind of at the point where it’s getting in his hands. When he gives us the green light, we’re going to chuck him in there. We’re definitely counting the days. Whether it’s tomorrow or the next game (against the San Jose Sharks on Friday), I think we’re right around the corner.”
The 23-year-old had 55 points (23 goals, 32 assists) in 64 games last season and five points (four goals, one assists) in 14 playoff games.
Andersen has missed three games since leaving 5:27 into a 6-3 win at the Sharks on Oct. 17 after taking a puck to the mask. He is 2-0-0 with a 4.14 goals-against average and .855 save percentage in three starts.
“I’m anticipating he will give us the go tomorrow," Brind'Amour said, "and if he does, we will put him in.”
Andersen was 21-11-1 with a 2.48 GAA, .903 save percentage and one shutout in 34 games (33 starts) last season and 5-3 with a 2.44 GAA and .917 save percentage in nine playoff games.
NHL.com staff writer William Douglas and NHL.com independent correspondent Kurt Dusterberg contributed to this report
