Minor surgery for Jonathan Quick

Jonathan Quick required some minor surgery to repair a disc fragment and an inflammatory cyst this week, as reported by the LA Times. The surgery, which was described as a "minor surgical procedure", is expected to require approximately six weeks for Quick to make a full recovery. 

As things stand Quick should be at 100% by the time the Los Angeles Kings start training camp, assuming that training camp and the 2012-13 NHL season start on time. 

No need to worry LA fans. The Kings stressed that Quick's procedure was nothing to worry about. Quick, the new owner of a 10-year, $58 million contract extension, shouldn't have any lingering symptoms from his recent surgery. 

It's safe to assume that both issues were ones that originated back to LA's 2011-12 Stanley Cup campaign but were only discovered as the summer wore on. Quick decided to address these problems now so that he would be on track to appear in training camp when it gets started in September (knock on wood). 

The Los Angeles Kings will need Quick to be in top form when (perhaps if) the season begins. Last year Quick appeared in 69 games for the Kings, compiling a record of 35-21-13. His efforts not only carried the Kings to their first Stanley Cup but also made the goaltender a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, an award given to the league's top goaltender. Quick finished a distant second to the ultimate winner, Henrik Lundqvist, but his efforts during the 2011-12 season were applauded as being one of the best in recent memory. 

It's also been heavily speculated that talented backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier has requested a trade away from the Kings in an effort to finally secure some playing time. If the Kings follow through and grant Bernier his wish a new face will be seen backing Quick. This probably won't have an impact on Quick as he has already been starting nearly 70 games a year even with a backup that the club is familiar with. Odds are Quick will again see somewhere in the neighborhood of 70ish starts in the season ahead regardless of who is playing the #2 role on the bench. 

News of Quick having surgery over the summer is a bit worrisome but don't let it influence your opinion of the goaltender entering 2012-13. Lockout or no lockout, Quick should be ready to build upon his recent success in the coming year. 

About David Rogers

Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.

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