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Anaheim Ducks: What Happens to if Ryan Kesler Misses the 2018-19 NHL Season?

By Greg Johnson

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 29: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after being hit with a high stick during the third period of a game against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center on December 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 29: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after being hit with a high stick during the third period of a game against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center on December 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 8: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 8, 2018. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Ryan Kesler may miss the 2018-19 with a hip injury. Greg Johnson answers some of the questions surrounding Kesler’s contract and the Anaheim Ducks salary cap situation.

Last Friday’s Sportsnet column by Elliotte Friedman mentioned Anaheim Ducks shutdown center Ryan Kesler may miss the entire 2018-19 season while rehabilitating his hip injury. Ducks fans are wondering how that will affect the team.

I Thought Kesler Returned from His Injury

Ryan Kesler did return from his off-season hip surgery to play 48 physically demanding games for the Anaheim Ducks last season. The pain was grueling for Kesler, and his play was grueling for fans. Opposing fans don’t have much sympathy for our local nasty center. It was clear to those watching, Kesler could hardly swivel at the waist while on the ice last season. His results showed it.

It looks like Kesler is in real trouble now. He’s not interested in further surgery. According to Friedman’s 31 Thoughts column, “…word is he (Kesler) is not interested in retiring, wants to play and is doing everything he can to get there.”

Is retirement in question? This injury is clearly worse than any of us expected. Let’s go with the assumption Kesler is going to sit out the season and try to return in September of 2019.

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