Ryan Kesler might not play in 2019-20, but his career may not be over.

The Anaheim Ducks center underwent hip resurfacing surgery on Thursday, a procedure that makes continuing his career possible following a lengthy recovery, the club announced on Monday.

"While it's unlikely he will play in 2019-20, we will support any decision he makes about his future playing career," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said.

In April, Kesler's career appeared in jeopardy when he was mulling hip-replacement surgery.

The 34-year-old missed Anaheim's final 14 games of this season and was limited to 60 contests in 2018-19.

He's battled through hip issues for years, missing 60 games over the last two campaigns.

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Oliwer Kaski intends to sign a contract with the Detroit Red Wings after the conclusion of the World Championship, the Finnish blue-liner's agent, Todd Diamond, told TSN's Darren Dreger on Monday.

Kaski notched an assist in Finland's overtime loss to the United States on Monday.

The 23-year-old posted 51 points in 59 regular-season games with the Lahti Pelicans in the Finnish Liiga in 2018-19. He added four points in six playoff contests this spring.

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Barry Trotz's right-hand man could be in line for a head coaching job of his own.

Lane Lambert will interview for the Anaheim Ducks' vacancy, reports Sportsnet's John Shannon.

The New York Islanders associate coach previously served on Trotz's staff with the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators.

The 54-year-old former forward also has head coaching experience at the AHL level with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Anaheim is one of four NHL clubs without a head coach at the moment, including the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, and Ottawa Senators.

Ducks general manager Bob Murray took over behind the bench after firing Randy Carlyle in February.

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Justin Williams went with a rather vivid description of his team's performance in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final on Sunday.

"We've got to rediscover who we are," the Carolina Hurricanes captain told the assembled media, including FOX Sports Carolinas, after a 6-2 defeat to the Boston Bruins.

"You spend all this time off leading up with everyone writing articles about how great you are and then you come out and sometimes you've got to eat a poop sandwich," Williams added. "It doesn't taste good. You have to chew on it for a little bit, and we'll have to do it for a couple days and get the taste out of our mouth next game."

The Hurricanes allowed two goals in each of the three periods on Sunday, falling behind 6-0 in the final frame before tallying a couple of late markers.

The shots-on-goal tally was fairly even, with the Bruins leading 25-23 in that area.

However, Boston dominated possession, posting a 76.47 high-danger scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five compared to Carolina's 23.53, according to Natural Stat Trick.

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Love them or hate them, Brad Marchand's antics have proven to be effective over his career, and the Boston Bruins' ultimate agitator was at it again in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final.

With the Bruins holding a 3-0 lead in the second period, Marchand roped Carolina Hurricanes captain Justin Williams into a holding penalty after appearing to get away with a high stick. The Bruins All-Star proceeded to make a "C" with his fingers, holding it to his chest and appearing to taunt Williams for poor leadership.

Matt Grzelcyk scored the Bruins' second power-play goal of the game - and fourth of the series - with Williams in the box to extend the lead to 4-0.

Following the contest, Williams took full responsibility for his role in the incident.

"I've got to know better," the 37-year-old said, according to Fox Sports Carolina. "I'm old enough and I should be able to know better. I'm disappointed in general, absolutely."

The Hurricanes lost 6-2 and now face a 2-0 series deficit heading back to Carolina for Game 3 on Tuesday night.

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Ralph Krueger is rising on the Buffalo Sabres' list of coaching candidates and will get "a real shot at the job," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote in Sunday's edition of "31 Thoughts."

Friedman adds that Sabres general manager Jason Botterill spoke to Krueger in 2017 before hiring Phil Housley, who was fired last month.

Krueger, the soon-to-be former English Premier League executive, coached the Edmonton Oilers in 2012-13 and led Team Europe to an unexpected run to the World Cup of Hockey final in 2016.

The Sabres have reportedly considered several candidates for the position, including Dave Tippett, Jacques Martin, and Todd McLellan, who the Los Angeles Kings later hired.

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