Schwartz sidelined indefinitely with injury

The Seattle Kraken announced that forward Jaden Schwartz will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury. Schwartz, 33, suffered the injury late in the first period of the Kraken's 7-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday when Senators forward Nick Cousins inadvertently kicked him in the face.

This season, Schwartz has contributed 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 42 games. He is currently in his fifth year with the Kraken after signing as an unrestricted free agent before the inaugural 2021-22 season.

With 78 goals and 85 assists for 163 points over 293 total games, he ranks as Seattle's fifth-highest scorer in franchise history. Schwartz was originally selected 14th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and spent 10 seasons with the Blues, including a standout 2014-15 season with 28 goals and 35 assists.

He was also a crucial part of the Blues' Stanley Cup-winning team in 2019. As the Kraken currently hold the second wild card spot in the Western Conference with 67 points in 62 games, Schwartz's absence could significantly impact the team's performance.

The Kraken will host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, followed by a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, concluding a six-game homestand. This news comes as the Kraken aim to make the playoffs for the second time in their five-year history, after missing out in the last two seasons.

According to Daily Faceoff, Schwartz's injury marks a challenging moment for the team as they navigate their playoff push.