Ducks Forward Ryan Kesler Undergoes Hip Surgery With NHL Future in Doubt

In 2014, the Anaheim Ducks traded for star center Ryan Kesler from the Vancouver Canucks in what was at the time a huge, blockbuster deal.

For his first few seasons in Orange County, it seemed like Kesler fit right in with the team, but recently his injuries have gotten the best of him. Last season, Kesler missed 22 games, and could now miss the entirety of the 2019-20 season after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery-- and there is a possibility that he may not be able to return to the ice at all.

The surgery, a a bone-preserving hip replacement, was performed on Thursday and comes with a truly lengthy recovery time.

Kesler has played 104 out of a possible 164 regular season games in the past two seasons. He has not had a standout campaign since 2016-17, and has registered a combined 22 points in the last two seasons, along with a plus-minus mark of -23.

Kesler has had a plethora of injuries throughout his career, and has only played a full 82-game season five out of a possible 15 times. He has only played one full season in his time in Anaheim.

Kesler has shown that he is willing to play throw pain because of his love of the game, but this time, the situation may be totally different. He is an aging player in probably the most tolling position on the ice with a very long list of ailments. Whether the 34-year-old decides to call it a career or if he attempts a comeback down the line, no one is allowed to question his toughness.