Forward Ryan Callahan is out indefinitely after undergoing a second hip procedure in a year, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced Wednesday.
The Lightning are four points out of the second wild-card spot in the East. If they fell further behind, Callahan was a candidate to be moved by the March 1 trade deadline. If Tampa closes the gap further, it might add to its core.
Callahan, 31, played in only 18 games this season after having a labral tear in his right hip repaired in June. He was not able to play for the United States in the World Cup of Hockey.
He had 28 points in 73 games last season but 24 goals and 30 assists in 2014-15 when the Lightning went to the Stanley Cup finals.
This second procedure was again performed by Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.