17 Ryan Kesler C

Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Won't appear Opening Night

Kesler is not yet cleared for contact, which will limit his ability to get up to speed for the start of the season. General manager Bob Murray didn't provide a specific timeline for when the All-Star center might be able to return to the lineup, but also isn't going to try to rush Kesler back into the lineup.

Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Getzlaf eager to see him in camp

A report from May suggested that Kesler could be in danger of missing the entire 2018-19 campaign due to hip trouble, but Getzlaf explained that Kesler can't be expected to know how his body will hold up until he gets "into a game or a physical situation." Kesler, a fantastic two-way center, was limited to 44 games last year, adding eight goals, six assists and a minus-4 rating to go along with 71 hits and 38 blocked shots.

Ducks' Ryan Kesler: In danger of missing entire 2018-19 campaign

Recall that Kesler underwent hip surgery to clear bone fragments last summer, and he missed the first 37 games before making his long-awaited season debut Dec. 27. The talented two-way center would end up with only 16 points in 48 games -- including four playoff appearances -- but it wasn't abundantly clear that Kesler's hip was still bothersome, as he also managed 79 hits and 44 blocked shots in that span while averaging 18:03 of ice time. According to this latest report, the Michigan native will undergo "aggressive rehab and treatment" in an effort to improve his condition and is not currently contemplating retirement.

Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Sets up Cogliano goal

Kesler never got started this season, missing the first three months of the year with a hip injury and struggling to be effective when he actually was healthy. In the playoffs, it was more of the same for the veteran, as he contributed just two points during the Sharks' sweep of his Ducks. Though Kesler has the talent to produce regularly, he won't be a highly valued commodity next year as age -- he'll be 34 next season -- starts to catch up with him.

Ducks' Ryan Kesler: Just two points in March

Kesler has been limited to just 35 games this year, and the veteran's season debut was delayed until Dec. 27 because of a hip injury. Jumping in midseason can be tough, and age might finally be catching up to the 33-year-old veteran. Additionally, he continues to primarily play a shut-down role with 61.2 percent of his five-on-five shift beginning in the defensive zone while also receiving 2:17 of shorthanded ice time per game. It's all added up to Kesler in line to post his worst offensive showing since the 2006-07 campaign.