Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek has surgery, out indefinitely

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek is out indefinitely after having surgery on his right thumb, general manager Don Waddell said Wednesday.

Mrazek is 2-1, with both wins coming via shutout, and he leads the NHL with a 0.99 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage this season.

Coach Rod Brind'Amour said it could be a "long-term kind of injury,'' adding it was "a big blow, obviously.''

The 28-year-old Mrazek suffered the injury when he was bumped by teammate Max McCormick, knocking the net out of place, in the first period of a victory against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 30.

Mrazek's absence means the Hurricanes will lean more on James Reimer, who entered the year as part of a tandem with Mrazek, and Alex Nedeljkovic.

Carolina plays the second half of a two-game set at Chicago on Thursday. The Hurricanes have won six of seven to start the season, including all four games since returning from a COVID-19 pause that led to the postponement of four games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.