After Second Hip Surgery, Will David Krejci Ever Be The Same?

After two straight years of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Boston Bruins have plenty of unfinished business and unanswered questions on the defense. But they may also have one at the center position that's going largely unnoticed: what is David Krejci's long-term outlook?

As the 30-year-old recovers from offseason hip surgery, the second major hip procedure of his career and the first on his left side, questions loom about his long-term durability and value. Krejci remains signed through the 2020-21 season with a $7.25 million cap hit, but he may not be playing nearly up to that number by that season when he approaches his mid-30s. While hip injuries are fairly common in hockey and aren't necessarily a death knell for NHL careers, Krejci could face a particularly sharp decline with both hips now repaired, but vulnerable.

Skating motions tend to put a disproportionate amount of stress on hockey players' hips compared to athletes in other sports. Hip problems can also lead to injuries in other vulnerable parts of the body like the knees or shoulders, and while many hip injuries can be played through, they can also cause a faster deterioration over time. The hips could be especially susceptible to further injuries if the problem is an impingement, an overgrowth of the hip bone that was the source of Krejci's injuries to both hips.

Kevin Neeld, President of Endeavor Sports Performance in New Jersey and Strength & Conditioning Coach for the USA Hockey Women's National Team, says players in Krejci's situation inevitably experience a gradual physical breakdown after recovering from injuries like hip impingements - and it's a problem that's hard to block out of their minds.

"I think of [chronic hip injuries] like erosion. ... These things develop and develop over time," said Neeld. "And [players] can't just forget about it."

Krejci underwent successful surgery to repair an impingement in his right hip in June of 2009. He returned in time for the start of the 2009-10 season but took a step back in terms of offensive production, following up a 73-point season with just 52 in 79 games.

There were no major problems with Krejci's hips until he suffered an injury to his left hip just before the start of the 2014-15 season. He played through it but experienced a similar drop-off in production, following up 0.86 points per game in 2013-14 with just 0.66 points per game in 2014-15. He opted to forego surgery at the time and ultimately sat out a month in 2015 with a partially torn MCL in his left knee - the same side as his injured hip. He notched just five assists in nine games upon returning.

Dr. Matt Tanneberg, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist based in Phoenix, Ariz., believes that Krejci's lingering hip issues and decision to avoid surgery directly contributed to his 2015 knee injury.

"The issues can all be related," said Dr. Tanneberg in an email to CBS Boston. "When you have an injury [to the hips], your gait changes. You skate differently, you push off differently, which means you are putting stress on different areas more than you should."

Dr. Tanneberg, who has worked with athletes from the NHL, NFL, MLB, NCAA, and the USA Track & Field team but does not have intimate knowledge of Krejci's particular situation, theorized that he will be back to full strength within 4-5 months of the surgery, which should have him ready for the start of 2016-17. But how Krejci performs next season is anyone's guess, and his now-deep and troubling history with hip problems and other injuries leaves him uniquely vulnerable to further complications.

"The medical staff of the Bruins will do the best that they can in order to get his strength level and range of motion back to as normal as possible, however, the hip will never be as good as it was before the surgery," said Dr. Tanneberg.

Ominously, Dr. Tanneberg also alluded to the history of pro athletes who have retired early due to deteriorating hips. One of the most high-profile examples is all-too-close to home: Cam Neely.

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