Kesler, Eaves out for season for Ducks

Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves will not play this season, Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray said Friday.

Kesler, a 35-year-old center, had resurfacing surgery on his right hip May 9. He had eight points (five goals, three assists) in 60 games last season, last playing against the St. Louis Blues on March 6, his 1,001st NHL game. He has three seasons remaining on a six-year, $41.25 million contract ($6.872 million average annual value) signed July 15, 2015.
"He's doing really well and the resurfacing has worked," Murray said. "I'm not going to comment on the rest of his career, but that's very doubtful at this point."
Kesler has 573 points (258 goals, 315 assists) in 15 NHL seasons with the Ducks and Vancouver Canucks, and 65 points (24 goals, 41 assists) in 101 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He played 82 games in 2016-17 but had hip surgery June 17, 2017, and has 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 104 games since then.
"At this point in my career, this surgery was the best option for my quality of life," Kesler said after the surgery. "The pain I was suffering has been greatly reduced since the procedure, and I'm grateful for that. While my playing future is unknown, I'm in a good place."

Eaves, a 35-year-old forward, did not have a point in seven games last season and has missed all but nine games in the past two seasons because of various illnesses. He last played against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 4.
"I won't say he's retiring, but he's out for the year," Murray said. "Whatever you want to call what he had keeps resurfacing. He's tried a couple times to come back, but he and his wife have decided that's enough for now, and I totally agree with that at this point in time."
Eaves has 242 points (132 goals, 110 assists) in 633 NHL games during 14 seasons with the Ducks, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators, who selected him with the No. 29 pick of the 2003 NHL Draft. He has 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 83 playoff games.
Eaves has one season remaining on a three-year contract he signed with the Ducks on June 23, 2017.