Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann will sit out the team’s last three regular-season games due to a lower-body injury, the club announced on April 13, 2026. The 29-year-old winger, a staple in Seattle’s top-six forward group, can now focus on recovery ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The Kraken, already eliminated from playoff contention, sit at 34-34-11 following a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on April 11.
McCann appeared in that Flames win, logging a goal and an assist in one of his final outings of the season. With the Pacific Division race long decided, his absence won’t alter postseason hopes but deprives fans of seeing one of the team’s most consistent scorers in the finale.
McCann’s contributions during the 2025-26 season
Jared McCann tallied 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points in 52 games this season, tying Matty Beniers for second on the team in goals. His scoring touch remained reliable despite the Kraken’s middling campaign. McCann hit the 20-goal mark despite missing time earlier due to prior lower-body issues in December 2025 and March 2026.
The left winger averaged 16:26 of ice time per game, contributing seven power-play goals and two game-winners. His shot volume stood at 117, showcasing his aggressive style. Recently, McCann notched points in two of his last three games, including the multi-point effort against Calgary.
- Key stats (2025-26): 20 G, 20 A, 40 Pts, -7 +/-, 117 SOG
- Power play: 7 G, 6 A
- Game-winners: 2
Injuries hampered his consistency, but McCann’s return in late March proved his resilience. He felt “really good” after offseason work addressing leg discomfort from prior years.
Seattle leaned on him heavily in the top six. His absence in the finale opens minutes for younger forwards like Shane Wright.
McCann’s five-year run with the Kraken
Acquired by Seattle in the 2021 NHL expansion draft, McCann has delivered at least 20 goals in each of his five seasons with the franchise. The first-round pick (15th overall, 2014) transitioned seamlessly to the Pacific Northwest club.
His pinnacle came in 2022-23, Seattle’s inaugural playoff year. McCann erupted for a career-high 40 regular-season goals, fueling a second-round run before a seven-game loss to the Dallas Stars.
Over 52 games this year, he maintained that scoring prowess amid team struggles. For full career stats, check McCann’s ESPN profile.
McCann’s reliability stands out in a young lineup. He has 204 goals across 720 career NHL games.
Contract status and summer preparations
McCann is in the final year of a five-year, $25 million deal signed with Seattle. As an unrestricted free agent this summer, his next contract could reflect his steady production.
The injury provides extra recovery time. Unlike earlier setbacks—a three-week absence in December 2025—this one aligns perfectly with the season’s end.
Offseason training begins sooner for him. Past summers focused on leg strength, yielding strong starts.
Expect trade rumors or extension talks. His playoff pedigree adds value.
What the injury means for Kraken’s closing stretch
The Kraken face the Los Angeles Kings on April 13, Vegas Golden Knights on April 15, and Colorado Avalanche on April 16 to close the schedule. All home games at Climate Pledge Arena offer fans a playoff-like atmosphere despite no stakes. See the full Kraken schedule here.
Without McCann, lines shuffle. Beniers steps up as a scoring leader.
Youngsters gain valuable reps. The focus shifts to momentum for 2026-27.
This marks McCann’s third lower-body issue this year. Depth players like Frederick Gaudreau fill gaps.
Veterans like Jordan Eberle mentor amid the finales. Pride remains on the line.
McCann’s early offseason exit allows thorough rehab. It positions him strongly for training camp.
The Kraken end a playoff-less sophomore slump with lessons learned. McCann’s consistency offers optimism—20 goals again amid adversity signals core strength. As free agency looms, his health and production could spark key decisions for Seattle’s rebuild. Fans await a bounce-back in 2026-27.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.