Kraken face uncertainty after captain Jordan Eberle leaves with injury

Seattle Kraken captain Jordan Eberle left Sunday's game against the New York Islanders with an upper-body injury and did not return.

The Kraken announced Monday that Eberle will be out indefinitely. He is expected to miss at least the next two games, a home game against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday and a road game against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

Eberle is the Kraken's leading scorer this season with 16 goals and 14 assists in 37 games.

He has been a key part of the Kraken's success this season, helping them to a 20-13-4 record, which is good for second place in the Pacific Division.

The Kraken will have to find a way to replace Eberle's production in the lineup.

He is a skilled offensive player who can score goals and set up his teammates. The Kraken could move Jaden Schwartz to Eberle's spot on the top line alongside Matty Beniers and Andre Burakovsky.

Another option is to promote Yanni Gourde to the top line and move Schwartz to the second line.

Gourde has been a consistent producer for the Kraken this season, with 10 goals and 12 assists in 37 games. He is a good skater and forechecker, and he can also score goals.

The Kraken will also need to find a new captain.

Eberle has been a respected leader in the locker room, and his absence will be felt. The Kraken could name alternate captain Adam Larsson as the new captain, or they could give the captaincy to another player such as Beniers or Schwartz.

The Kraken are hoping that Eberle's injury is not serious and that he will be able to return to the lineup soon.

In the meantime, they will need to find a way to replace his production and leadership.