BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -Sabres center Tim Connolly will undergo season-ending surgery to have bone chips removed from his hip.
Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier said Connolly is scheduled to have surgery on Monday in Colorado. The procedure will be performed by hip specialist Dr. Marc Philipon, who recently operated on Mike Sillinger and Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders.
“It was a combination of the time it took to recover, his inability to practice in between (games), and a rising level of pain,” Regier said Friday night during the Sabres game against Toronto. “We think he’ll be fine for the start of next season.”
The injury has bothered Connolly for much of the past three months, and he hoped to complete the season before having surgery.
He missed 13 games from Jan. 10-Feb. 8, before returning to the lineup. The play-making center played in 14 of the next 16 games, before aggravating the injury when he crashed heavily into the boards during Buffalo’s loss to the New York Rangers on March 10.
Connolly hasn’t played since, but with 40 points (seven goals, 33 assists) in 48 games, he still ranks sixth on the Sabres in scoring.
“We could certainly use him,” Regier said. “It’s what best for him and the organization.”
The injury was the latest setback for Connolly, who missed all but two regular-season games last season because of a neck injury and post-concussion symptoms. He also missed the entire 2003-04 season because of a concussion.
Connolly has one year left on a three-year, $8.7 million contract, and is scheduled to make $3.5 million next season.
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