Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan underwent a procedure to repair a labral tear in his right hip expected to require five months for recovery, the team announced Tuesday.
Callahan totalled 10 goals and 28 points in 73 games with the Lightning in the 2015-16 season. The 31-year-old added two goals and four points in 16 playoff games this past spring.
Callahan was named to Team U.S.A.’s roster for the World Cup of Hockey last month. The Lightning confirmed that he will miss the September tournament.
The loss of Callahan to Team U.S.A. could allow Pittsburgh Penguins sniper Phil Kessel to join the roster. Kessel was widely considered a glaring omission by GM Dean Lombardi and Co. before he went on to lead the Stanley Cup champion Penguins in post-season scoring. Callahan’s Lightning teammate Tyler Johnson could also be a candidate for serious consideration.
Callahan, a 2004 fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers, has scored 172 goals and registered 347 points in 620 career games over the course of 10 seasons.