Yanni Gourde Suspended for Two Games Following Charging Incident

The Seattle Kraken player's absence is expected to impact the team's performance, amidst speculations of tensions with the Oilers.

Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde has been suspended for two games without pay by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for a charging incident against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm.
The incident occurred during NHL Game No. 698 in Edmonton on Thursday, Jan. 18, and has resulted in Gourde forfeiting $53,819.44, which will be directed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The suspension has sparked a range of reactions among fans and has fueled speculation about tensions between Gourde and the Oilers, particularly with Connor McDavid.
Gourde's absence from the upcoming games is expected to impact the Seattle Kraken’s performance, as he has been a key player for the team this season with seven goals and 12 assists in 45 games.
The suspension is the second of Gourde's career and comes at a challenging time for the Kraken, who are dealing with injuries and illness among other players.