Patrick Kane had hip surgery on Thursday and he expects to need four to six months to get back into shape.
Agent Pat Brisson confirmed in a text message to The Associated Press that Kane had surgery. The potential length of Kane’s rehab means he’ll likely miss whatever NHL team is willing to sign him, before returning to action early in the season.
Kane, 34, has been plagued by a hip injury in recent seasons.
Brisson expects Kane to return to full fitness after the operation. It is not clear, however, whether the fact that he has gone under the knife will affect the interest of the teams this summer. Kane’s contract expires on July 1.
Kane is second in NHL history among American natives with 1,237 points, behind only Mike Modano. He helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015 and won the Hart Trophy as NHL Most Valuable Player in 2016.
Despite his health issues last winter, Kane had 21 goals and 36 assists in 73 games with the Blackhawks and New York Rangers.
Kane provided a goal and five assists in the first round of the playoffs, when the Rangers gave up in seven games against the New Jersey Devils.
