Florida Panthers' Kris Versteeg undergoes hip surgery -NHL Update
Florida Panthers’ Kris Versteeg underwent hip surgery on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee, and is expecting a full recovery by the start of the team’s training camp later on this year.
Versteeg was one of the biggest contributors for the player during the regular season and the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Playoff Quarterfinal series as the Panthers made a postseason entry for the first time in over
12 years of trying.
There was much expectation from Florida Panthers throughout as they topped the Atlantic Division for the first time in history as well and nearly got through to the second round but lost to New Jersey Devils in a tight seven game competition.
The 25-year-old underwent the procedure due to impaired mobility in his left hip but a full recovery is expected by the Panthers team and could be back as soon as their upcoming training camp later on this year.
Kris Versteeg, a native of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, was drafted as the 134th overall pick during round-five of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He played his first career game with Chicago Blackhawks for three straight seasons
and then was traded to Toronto Maple Leafs followed by Philadelphia Flyers and finally signed on to Florida Panthers last season.
The player has played 321 regular season games in his career and has a record of 201 points (88 goals, 113 assists) along with 198 minutes in penalty time. Last season with Florida was his career best as he picked up 54 points with a season high of 23 goals
and 31 assists in 71 games played.
His five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in seven playoff games this year were also very valuable for Florida as the Panthers continue to work towards becoming a Stanley Cup winning team, something which requires Versteeg to be a part of.
Versteeg’s three-year contract worth $9.250 million will be coming to an end by July 1 of this year, but being a restricted free agent, Florida will not be able to trade without having him waive off his no-trade clause, but it will not be required as Panthers
have already expressed their desire to keep the player for future seasons.
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