Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal spent 17 seasons chasing his second Stanley Cup. Last year, he got to lift the Cup with the Hurricanes, winning the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP on the way. This year, the Hurricanes will be looking for a repeat as champs.

As the Hurricanes look to make a run at a second straight Stanley Cup, they are learning they will be without their captain for some time, per hockey insider Frank Seravalli.

“Rod Brind'Amour tells reporters Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jordan Staal has a tear in his calf and will miss significant time, as long as a couple months,” Seravalli posted on X, formerly Twitter.

It is unclear when Staal suffered the injury. He played just 14:12 on the ice against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, below his season average. He then missed the game on Sunday. Still, alarms did not go off when the 38-year-old missed the game. It was the second half of a back-to-back, with both games on the road, making his absence explainable.

Staal was the second overall selection of the 2006 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, breaking into the NHL during the 2006-07 season. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie team in 2007 and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He also won a Stanley Cup with the team in 2009. In the summer of 2012, Staal was traded to the Hurricanes, joining his brother Eric in Carolina.

Since joining the Canes, he has played in 978 games, the second most in franchise history. He is also fourth in franchise history in assists and points, but behind his brother in both categories. This year, he has played in six games, but has yet to record a point.

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Staal was a beast in the playoffs last year. In 19 games, he found the back of the net eight times while adding four assists. Six of those goals came in the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Hurricanes face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, during the NHL's Frozen Frenzy. It will be the second game between the Capitals and Hurricanes in Carolina this year. The Caps won 5-2 the first time. It will also be the last time Alex Ovechkin plays in the regular season in Carolina.