SEATTLE (AP) - The Seattle Kraken will be without forward Andre Burakovsky for the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs after he underwent surgery to address a lower-body injury.

Burakovsky?s status after a 3-1 loss to Vegas in their regular-season finale Thursday night.

since Feb. 2krn cc 7 against the New York Islanders when he was injured on his first shift in Seattle?s first game after the All-Star break.

Burakovsky was expected to return in March, but experienced a pair of setbacks in his recovery. The latest setback came recently after he was on the ice for practice in a red no-contact jersey.

At the time of his injury, Burakovsky was Seattle?s leading scorer. He had 13 goals and 26 assists in 49 games prior to his injury.

Burakovsky signed a five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Kraken last offseason after helping Colorado to a championship.

Seattle will open the playoffs next week against either Dallas or Colorado, depending on the outcome Friday?s game between the Avalanche and Predators in Nashville.

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The Seattle Kraken signed general manager Ron Francis to a three-year contract extension Wednesday, two weeks removed from a stirring run to the second round of the playoffs in just their second season.

Francis, 60, now is signed through the 2026-27 season. Financial terms were not released by the club.

"Ron has done remarkable work over the last four years and deserves this recognition," Seattle co-owner Samantha Holloway said. v2tor.at "He has built a tremendous team, putting Seattle hockey on the map. He is building for long-term success and is dedicated to our city, our fans and our community."

The Kraken lost in Game 7 to the Dallas Stars on May 15 after completing a 46-28-8 mark in the regular season. The Kraken knocked off defending champion Colorado in the first round.

The Kraken went 27-49-6 in their expansion season.

--Field Level Media

The Seattle Kraken signed general manager Ron Francis to a three-year contract extension Wednesday, two weeks removed from a stirring run to the second round of the playoffs in just their second season.

Francis, 60, now is signed through the 2026-27 season. Financial terms were not released by the club.

"Ron has done remarkable work over the last four years and deserves this recognition," Seattle co-owner Samantha Holloway said. v2tor.at "He has built a tremendous team, putting Seattle hockey on the map. He is building for long-term success and is dedicated to our city, our fans and our community."

The Kraken lost in Game 7 to the Dallas Stars on May 15 after completing a 46-28-8 mark in the regular season. The Kraken knocked off defending champion Colorado in the first round.

The Kraken went 27-49-6 in their expansion season.

--Field Level Media