Brent Seabrook Undergoes Third Surgery

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that Brent Seabrook has undergone successful surgery on his right hip. That’s the third surgery he has had over the last two months, following left hip surgery in January and right shoulder surgery in December. The team expects Seabrook to be ready to return to action in five to six months. If that timeline proves accurate, the veteran defenseman would be ready for the start of the 2020-21 season.

Seabrook, 34, is often referenced as one of the worst contracts in the league thanks to his declining play over the last several years. Once a rock solid two-way defender for the Blackhawks, he was a huge part of all three Stanley Cup championships and received Norris Trophy votes on three separate occasions. Unfortunately, things have not gone so well lately, though there’s no way to tell how much these injuries had affected him. Seabrook had played in at least 78 games of every full-length season (and 47 in the lockout-shortened one) since his rookie campaign.

His contract still has four years remaining at a $6.875MM cap hit, and still includes a full no-movement clause for the next two. Hopefully Seabrook can regain some of his former success, but otherwise there are few ways out of his deal for the Blackhawks. Obviously, if he isn’t able to return to full fitness the team could place him on long-term injured reserve, though from all appearances the veteran wants to continue his career.