Mark Jankowski To Evaluate Lower-Body Injury

Mark Jankowski is heading home to get something looked at.

According to the Hurricanes, Jankowski suffered a lower-body injury and missed their game against the Calgary Flames. Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour, during post game, said that he didn’t have any further updates regarding the injury itself, just that he’s going back to Raleigh to evaluate the situation. Nicolas Deslauriers filled in place of Jankowski in Carolina’s 3-2 loss to Calgary.

This becomes yet another loss to injury for the defending Stanley Cup Champions. The Hurricanes have been without Seth Jarvis and Jordan Staal, who was placed on injured reserve regarding a calf injury, as well as Taylor Hall, who is day-to-day. Jarvis could return soon, as he is traveling with the team, but the Hurricanes have had to call on Felix Unger Sorum and Bradly Nadeau from AHL Chicago to supplement these lineup losses.

Any stretch without Jankowski, regardless, is a blow for the Hurricanes’ bottom-six, especially if you’re discussing 2026-27. Starting this campaign, the 32-year-old has scored six goals for seven points in his last six games, tied for fourth in the NHL in goal-scoring. Among players who’ve played at least eight games, Jankowski is shooting at a 40% clip, which also ranks fourth in the league. In his 11-year NHL career, this marks his best start through the first nine games of a season from a production standpoint. Having his best stint with the Calgary Flames, where he tallied a career-high 32 points in the 2018-19 season, Jankowski is on pace to score 55 points through 83 games.

He is currently in the first campaign of a two-year extension signed back during Carolina’s cup run through the 2027-28 season. The deal is worth $3.7MM ($1.85MM AAV).

General Manager Eric Tulsky said in the contract’s press release, “Mark has been an excellent fit for our organization throughout his time here. He’s proven he can contribute in different ways, and we are glad he’s chosen to remain with the organization.”

The 31-year-old forward finished the 2025-26 regular season with 11 goals and 21 points in 68 games. He added a goal and four assists in 18 playoff games en route to winning the 2026 Stanley Cup. The Hamilton, Ontario native has been a mainstay for Carolina in their bottom-six since last year. The Hurricanes acquired Jankowski in a deal at the 2025 trade deadline that sent him from the Predators to the Hurricanes in exchange for their fifth-round pick in 2026.