Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook is set to have core muscle surgery Friday and will miss six to eight weeks, the team announced.
Jordan Martinook will undergo surgery Friday to repair a core muscle injury.https://t.co/RDK91Z5cPn
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) October 10, 2019
“That’s the way it goes,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said (via The News & Observer). “We’ve got to pick up the pieces and somebody has got to fill in a little bit what he brings for us."
The Hurricanes recalled forward Julien Gauthier on Wednesday from the AHL's Charlotte Checkers to help fill the void left by Martinook, who also served as an alternate captain. The News & Observer notes Gauthier replaced Martinook in practice Thursday and will make his NHL debut Friday against the Islanders.
"(Gauthier) was good in camp and this gives him an opportunity in a real game to see what he can do. We need him to be good," Brind’Amour said.
Martinook's surgery Friday marks the second procedure he will have had this year on his core muscle as he also had surgery during the offseason.
Martinook, who was acquired from the Coyotes in May 2018, has an assist in Carolina's 4-0-0 start. Last season, he had a career-high 15 goals with 10 assists as he played in all 82 regular-season games in his first season with Carolina.
The Hurricanes host the Islanders (1-2-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday.