The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that Ryan Callahan will need five months to recovery from hip surgery.
In case you’re wondering, they’ve already said that Callahan won’t be able to play for Team USA at the World Cup of Hockey.
At least one report indicates that Callahan was struggling with that “lower-body injury” late in the season and into the playoffs:
That gives you a sense of the "lower body injury" Ryan Callahan was playing through late in the season and in playoffs #tblightning
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) June 21, 2016
If five months is accurate - hockey players are known for returning early, as you likely know - then Callahan would miss the first month or two of the 2016-17 season.
Callahan would rather have surgery now and try to get back to #tblightning quicker than risk trying rehab + surgery in Oct, Bartlett said
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) June 21, 2016
There’s not much positive spin from Callahan’s side, yet a few are wondering if this wrong might help correct a perceived wrong: leaving Phil Kessel off Team USA.
The door has been opened for Team USA to add Phil Kessel for the World Cup now that Ryan Callahan is out injured.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 21, 2016
Callahan's injury could open a spot on U.S. World Cup of Hockey team for Phil Kessel. Maybe Paul Stastny or Kyle Okposo.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 21, 2016
Well, if they want Kessel to play, they better send a decent-sized plane.