Eastern Conference Team In Shambles After Another Star Hit With An Injury

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Hunter Bowman
October 25, 2023 (11:10 PM)

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In a recent announcement, the Carolina Hurricanes revealed that defenseman Brett Pesce will be sidelined for an estimated 2-4 weeks due to a lower-body injury that required surgery.

The injury setback came to light after Pesce's last appearance for the Hurricanes, which took place during a game against the Seattle Kraken last Thursday. Curiously, it remains unclear whether the injury occurred during the game itself, as Pesce played the entire duration, including the final 29 seconds of the third period. He concluded the match with one shot on goal, logging 19 minutes and 37 seconds of ice time, but the Kraken emerged victorious with a 7-4 scoreline.

To date this season, Pesce has recorded a goal and an assist, accumulating two points in five games. He aimed to build on his remarkable 2022-23 season, during which he amassed 30 points in 82 games. However, his performance this season has been more modest, with a 50.33% 5v5 expected goal share.

Jalen Chatfield has temporarily filled Pesce's spot in the lineup in recent games. Meanwhile, Brady Skjei, Pesce's partner on the second defensive pair, has played alongside Chatfield and Dmitry Orlov in the two games following Pesce's injury. For Thursday's game against the Kraken, Tony DeAngelo is expected to pair with Skjei, a combination that has a 7.14% 5v5 expected goal share in 6 minutes and 49 seconds of ice time.

A third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Pesce has spent his entire nine-season NHL career with the Hurricanes. He is in the final year of a six-year contract with a $4.025 million cap hit, a deal he signed with the Canes in the 2017 offseason. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason.

The absence of Pesce has undoubtedly impacted the Hurricanes, as they have suffered two losses in his absence and are currently on a three-game losing streak. Their record stands at 3-4-0, placing them fifth in the Metropolitan Division.

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