Dan Hamhuis News

Hamhuis missed Tuesday's game in Minnesota but will draw back onto the blueline on Thursday. The 37-year-old veteran defenseman has picked up just three assists in his last 30 games.

Hamhuis was a minus-3 with two shots while playing 14:21 ATOI in the first two games of the season. Tonight he will be replaced by Matt Irwin on the Predators third pair.

The Ducks confirmed what was already believed about Kesler’s status for the 2020 season. Kesler underwent right hip refacing surgery in early-May and will not play this season but the door is still open for him to resume his NHL career following a lengthy recovery.

Hip resurfacing is a bone-preserving hip replacement that can provide pain relief and increase function in normal activities of daily living. The surgery does leave open the possibility that Kesler could resume his NHL career following a lengthy recovery. "As we all know, Ryan has been fiercely battling his condition for quite some time," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "I've been extremely impressed by his determination to play despite being significantly injured. At this point, Ryan needs to think about his life and family. The pain he felt was significant and we agree with his decision to have this surgery. While it's unlikely he will play in 2019-20, we will support any decision he makes about his future playing career.”

Kesler has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury but will play Monday in Toronto. Kesler has done nothing offensively this season, scoring just four goals with two assists in 44 games.

Kesler played just 5:06 TOI in Detroit before leaving with a lower-body injury. Kesler will miss at least the next three games, so look for Adam Henrique to be back on the Ducks top power-play unit on Thursday. Max Jones and Troy Terry were recalled from San Diego (AHL) to replace Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg (lower-body).

Hamhuis has missed the last nine games, but will draw back into the Predators lineup on Thursday. Hamhuis, who has just one assist in seven games this season, will replace P.K. Subban in Arizona.

Kesler has recorded three goals and one assist in 12 games this season, but could be out of the lineup on Tuesday. The Ducks recalled Chase De Leo from San Diego (AHL) and he would draw into the lineup if Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf can’t go.

Hamhuis suffered and undisclosed injury vs. the Sharks on Tuesday, leaving the game after playing just 5:13 TOI. With Hamhuis on IR, Anthony Bitetto will likely play on Thursday and Rocco Grimaldi has been called up to take his roster spot.

Kesler was surprisingly skating on the Ducks second line in Wednesday’s morning skate and is officially listed as a game-time decision. Kesler has not been medically cleared to play, but that could come later today. Keep an eye on Kesler’s status as the Ducks hit the ice for warmups at 9:30pm ET.

Kesler joined his teammates for Sunday’s practice but still has not been cleared for contact. Head coach Randy Carlyle said Kesler is unlikely to play in the season opener on October 3rd, which means Sam Steel could get an early look on the second or third line. Kesler is in the midst of a slow build-up after hip surgery in 2017.