Patrick Kane could miss the start of the upcoming NHL season. The reason is hip surgery, which he underwent on Thursday.
The 34-year-old forward, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, recorded 57 points (21 goals, 36 assists) in 73 games during the 2022-23 regular season for the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. He has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 19 games following his trade from Chicago to New York on February 28.
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Kane had six points (one goal, five assists) for the Rangers, who lost to the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the Eastern Conference after seven games.
Video: NYR@NJD, Sp2: Kane hits the target
“Patrick made the move to surgery because he wants to keep playing,” Kane’s agent Pat Brisson told NHL.com. “It went very well and we are confident that he will be on the ice next season and hopefully for many more years to come.”
Two players have returned to the NHL after hip surgery: Center Nicklas Backstromwho returned for the Washington Capitals on January 8, nearly seven months after the procedure and played 39 games last season; and defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who made a comeback in 2013-14 and played 37 games for the Florida Panthers.
Kane had 1,237 points (451 goals, 786 assists) in 1,180 season games for the Blackhawks and Rangers. He has 138 points (53 goals, 85 points) in 143 playoff appearances. The attacker won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
