### Kraken's Brandon Montour Faces Extended Absence After Hand Surgery The Seattle Kraken have announced that defenseman Brandon Montour has been placed on injured reserve following successful hand surgery. Montour, 31, is expected to miss at least four weeks, significantly impacting the team's defensive lineup as they struggle in the current NHL season. His injury occurred during a game against the Colorado Avalanche on December 16, where he was involved in a fight and subsequently left the game early. Montour's absence comes at a critical time for the Kraken, who are already facing challenges with several other key players sidelined due to injuries [https://srnnews.com/kraken-d-brandon-montour-to-miss-4-plus-weeks-after-hand-surgery, https://apnews.com/article/montour-injured-reserve-hand-5e258f593fb60268220794674cd528f5]. ### Breakdown of Montour's Injury Impact and Team Status 1. **Injury Details**: - Montour underwent hand surgery and has been placed on injured reserve. - Expected recovery time is a minimum of four weeks [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kraken-announce-brandon-montour-underwent-190430967.html]. 2. **Recent Performance**: - Prior to his injury, Montour had played 27 games this season, scoring six goals and providing ten assists, totaling 16 points [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/krakens_brandon_montour_out_4_weeks_with_hand_injury/s1_16448_43238853]. - He was a key player, averaging nearly 22 minutes of ice time per game, ranking second on the team [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/krakens_brandon_montour_out_four_weeks_after_hand_surgery/s1_16958_43238409]. 3. **Team Context**: - The Kraken are currently tied for last place in the Western Conference, having lost 10 of their last 12 games [https://apnews.com/article/montour-injured-reserve-hand-5e258f593fb60268220794674cd528f5]. - Montour joins several other injured players, including forwards Jared McCann and Jaden Schwartz, further complicating the team's efforts to improve their standings [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/krakens_brandon_montour_out_4_weeks_with_hand_injury/s1_16448_43238853]. ### Supporting Data on Montour's Contributions and Team Challenges - **Montour's Season Stats**: - Games Played: 27 - Goals: 6 - Assists: 10 - Total Points: 16 - Plus/Minus Rating: -4 [https://apnews.com/article/montour-injured-reserve-hand-5e258f593fb60268220794674cd528f5]. - **Team Performance**: - Current Standings: Tied for last in the Western Conference. - Recent Record: 2 wins in the last 12 games [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/krakens_brandon_montour_out_4_weeks_with_hand_injury/s1_16448_43238853]. ### Conclusion: Montour's Absence Poses Significant Challenges for Kraken In summary, **Brandon Montour's injury and subsequent surgery will keep him out of action for at least four weeks**, which is a significant blow to the Seattle Kraken as they navigate a difficult season. The team is already struggling with multiple injuries and poor performance, making Montour's absence even more critical. 1. Montour's contributions have been vital, with 16 points in 27 games. 2. The Kraken's current standing is precarious, tied for last in the Western Conference. 3. The team must adapt quickly to cope with the loss of Montour and other injured players to improve their chances moving forward [https://apnews.com/article/montour-injured-reserve-hand-5e258f593fb60268220794674cd528f5, https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/krakens_brandon_montour_out_4_weeks_with_hand_injury/s1_16448_43238853].