After hip surgery, the Anaheim Ducks announced Ryan Kesler will most likely miss the 2019-20 season. Has he played in his last NHL game?
Back when Ryan Kesler signed his seven-year extension with the Anaheim Ducks in July of 2015, he was known as a pretty durable player. From the 2007-08 season to the 2016-17 season, he played in at least 70 games in each full season (excluding the 2013 lockout-shortened season). Now Kesler’s playing career could be in jeopardy.
On Monday, May 13, the Ducks announced he has undergone right hip resurfacing surgery. Judging by general manager Bob Murray’s comments, it doesn’t appear likely he’ll play during the 2019-20 season.
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Murray also comments on Kesler needing to think about his future, which is never a good sign. From Kesler’s comments, it sounds like the operation has significantly decreased his pain, which is a very good sign. Whether or not this will remain true will determine how much longer he will keep on playing.
Kesler’s hip has been bothering him for quite some time. He had a procedure done after the 2016-17 season to fix an issue. Since the procedure, Kesler’s hip has still been bothering him and he has played in just 104 games over the past two seasons. And when he has played, he’s been a shell of his former self with just 13 goals and 22 points.
This surgery could be his last chance. After this, Kesler would likely need a hip replacement. The diagnosis would be a serious one which would most likely end his playing career immediately. Kesler admitted the possibility of needing one in the near future during an interview with The Athletic (subscription required).
Even if it doesn’t end it immediately, it would put his career in jeopardy. Ed Jovanovski of the Florida Panthers was able to play for 37 more games after getting a hip replacement.
Kesler’s current surgery will most likely let him play hockey again, assuming there are no other issues. However, hip injuries often linger and, as fans have seen with him, they rarely go away completely, especially with older players.
Should this be the end, it would be an end to an impressive career. Kesler has played for the Vancouver Canucks and Ducks over his NHL career, which has spanned 15 seasons. He spent his first 10 with the Canucks. Kesler has played in 1,001 career games, posting 258 goals and 315 assists in them.
In 2010-11, he won the Selke Trophy after posting 41 goals and 32 assists for 73 points in 82 games while winning 57.4% of his faceoffs. Kesler has been one of the Selke Trophy finalists on four other occasions (2008-09, 2009-10, 2015-16, 2016-17).