The team's former captain had played in just six games this season - 0-0-0, -4, 6 PIM - and only one since October. Now we know that we won't be seeing him again this season as he will undergo hip surgery.

What exactly this means for the Oilers next year is unclear right now. Ference might have been a buyout candidate but if he's injured that won't be possible. Maybe the injury will linger next season and he'll spend all of next season on the LTIR.