Versteeg facing season-ending surgery

Sunrise, FL – Florida Panthers winger Kris Versteeg will have season-ending surgery to fix a knee problem.

Panthers head coach Kevin Dineen confirmed the news on Thursday, as his club was to take on the Bruins in Boston. Versteeg was the victim of a shot to the leg by Tampa Bay's Radko Gudas in Tuesday's 3-2 loss.

Versteeg had been out of the lineup from the start of the season through Jan. 29, then again from Feb. 12 to Mar. 8 after taking a hard hit from Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin.

It's a disappointing end for the forward who signed a four-year deal worth $4.4 million per season to stay in south Florida.

The 26-year-old totaled just two goals and four points with a minus-eight rating in 10 games this season.