- Kraken forward Jacob Melanson is out indefinitely
- Injury from Oct. 1 opener diagnosed as vascular pseudo aneurysm
- Read below for the team statement and what the diagnosis means
Jacob Melanson’s injury is far more serious than the Kraken first let on.
Seattle announced Saturday that the forward will be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with an anterior mediastinum hematoma with vascular pseudo aneurysm. He got hurt in the season opener on Oct. 1 at Calgary.
Here’s the team’s announcement:
The Kraken said Melanson suffered an upper-body injury in Calgary and thanked the medical teams in Alberta for their help with his care. Because of the unusual nature of the injury, Seattle’s medical staff will monitor him closely through the healing process, with a gradual progression to return to hockey.
Dr. Harjas Grewal, a physician who regularly breaks down NHL injuries, explained what the diagnosis means in plain terms:
Melanson played 9:31 against the Flames, took one shot on goal and left the game.
Seattle listed him as week-to-week when it put him on injured reserve last week. That timeline is gone now.
The 23-year-old had five points (two goals, three assists) and 32 penalty minutes in 36 games last season. The Kraken locked him up in September after he turned into one of their most physical forwards.
Seattle took him in the fifth round (No. 131) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He has five points in 38 NHL games over three seasons.
The Kraken sit at 3-2 and visit the Capitals on Sunday night without him.
