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Ryan Callahan out indefinitely following hip surgery

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 5: Ryan Callahan #24 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against Mattias Ekholm #14 of the Nashville Predators during the third period at Amalie Arena on January 5, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ryan Callahan of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against Mattias Ekholm #14 of the Nashville Predators during the third period at Amalie Arena on January 5, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan had a follow-up surgical procedure on his right hip on Tuesday and is out indefinitely, the team announced.

On Jan. 15 Callahan left the lineup to rest and rehab the hip, which was surgically repaired in June for a laberal tear. This hip surgery was supposed to take five months of healing. The veteran forward played his first game on Oct. 30 of this season and struggled with four points in 18 games played. Callahan’s most recent absence, which started in January, was supposed to take a month.

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The 31-year-old Callahan is currently in the third season of a six-year, $34.8 million contract. His deal also includes a no-move clause, which means the team needs to protect him for the upcoming expansion draft. If the injury is severe enough, this could change Callahan’s protection status.

The expansion draft rules state the following in regards to protected players and career-ending injuries:

Players with potential career-ending injuries who have missed more than the previous 60 consecutive games (or who otherwise have been confirmed to have a career-threatening injury) may not be used to satisfy a club’s player exposure requirements, unless approval is received from the NHL. Such players also may be deemed exempt from selection by the League.

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reported that while Callahan’s injury may be season ending, it’s not expected to be career-threatening.

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In the shorter term, Callahan’s absence could give the Lightning a $5.8 million boost in salary cap space around the trade deadline if the team puts him on long-term injured reserve. Tampa currently has 62 points in 59 games played, four out of the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. The Florida Panthers hold this position with 66 points in 58 games.

The Lightning had yet to announce if they moved Callahan to LTIR.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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