San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture announced Friday that he won't be able to play again this season, according to team beat reporter Curtis Pashelka.

Couture has been limited to just six games this campaign because of a groin injury.

He missed the first 45 games of the campaign despite being given a week-to-week recovery timeline in September with the hope that he'd be ready for opening night Oct. 12. Couture put up one assist in his limited return to action and was labeled as week-to-week again in mid-February.

The 34-year-old revealed in December that he initially feared his ailment would end his career. On Friday, Couture said he hopes he can return next campaign, although he's realistic about the possibility of a trade. He has three more seasons remaining on his deal with an $8-million cap hit. Couture's contract includes a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a list of three approved teams.

The Sharks sent beloved forward Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. Couture and Hertl have been teammates for the last 11 seasons.

Couture said he was informed of the possibility that Hertl would be moved.

"I kind of had a feeling of numbness driving to the rink," he said. "It just didn't feel real, but it happened."

Couture ranks fifth all time in Sharks history in games played (933), third in goals (323), and fourth in points (701). San Jose selected him ninth overall in the 2007 NHL Draft.

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