Patrick Kane could miss start of season after hip surgery

Patrick Kane could miss the start of next season after having hip resurfacing surgery Thursday.

The 34-year-old forward, who can become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career on July 1, had 57 points (21 goals, 36) in 73 regular-season games this season for the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, including 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 19 games after he was acquired in a trade with the Blackhawks on Feb. 28.

Kane had six points (one goal, five assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Rangers, who lost in seven games to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference First Round.

News of the surgery was first reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

"Patrick did this because he wants to continue playing," Kane's agent, Pat Brisson, told NHL.com. "Surgery went extremely well and we're very confident that he will be able to play next year and hopefully for many more years to come."

After the Rangers were eliminated May 1, Kane said he hoped to know soon if he would require surgery to repair a lower-body injury that he has been dealing with for the past few seasons.

"There's not a decision on that (surgery) yet, but we're going to have to find a way to get me back to as close to 100 percent as possible," Kane said May 3. "I'm turning 35 next year, but it's not like I feel old. I still feel pretty young and I feel like the passion is still there. I know that I can be a top player if my focus is solely on hockey instead of how I feel that day."

Two players have come back to play in the NHL after having hip resurfacing surgery: center Nicklas Backstrom, who rejoined the Washington Capitals lineup Jan. 8, nearly seven months after having the procedure, and played 39 games last season; and defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who returned to play 37 games for the Florida Panthers in the 2013-14 season.

The No. 1 pick by Chicago in the 2007 NHL Draft, Kane has 1,237 points (451 goals, 786 assists) in 1,180 regular-season games for the Blackhawks and Rangers, and 138 points (53 goals, 85 points) in 143 playoff games. He is second in Blackhawks history in points (1,225) and assists (779), behind Stan Mikita (1,467 points, 926 assists); third in goals (446), behind Bobby Hull (604) and Mikita (541); and third in games played (1,161), trailing Mikita (1,396) and Duncan Keith (1,192).

Kane won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He also won the Calder Trophy voted as the NHL rookie of the year in 2007-08, and the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as most valuable player of the playoffs in 2013.

In 2015-16, he won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player as voted by members of the NHL Players' Association, and the Art Ross Trophy as the League's leading scorer.

The 2023-24 season is expected to begin in October.