VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler plans to make his season debut Tuesday against the New York Rangers after missing the first five games recovering from offseason hip surgery.
He said after practice he was ready to play 12 days after rejoining practice.
Kesler scored 41 goals and as the NHL’s top defensive forward last season. He has averaged 74 points the last two seasons as the Canucks’ second-line center. He set a career high for goals after moving onto the top power-play unit last year.
He practiced in both roles Monday for the first time since surgery in late July after an injury during the playoffs.
