Panthers right wing Versteeg has hip surgery

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Florida Panthers right wing Kris Versteeg is recovering from surgery to repair a cyst problem that impaired mobility in his left hip.

The team says Versteeg had the surgery on Wednesday in Nashville.

Versteeg will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and the Panthers want him to return. He missed 11 games during the regular season and still established career-bests in goals (23) and points (54), while tying his season-best in assists (31) for the Southeast Division champions.

Versteeg had three goals and two assists in seven playoff games for the Panthers, who lost in an Eastern Conference first-round series to the New Jersey Devils.

Updated May 3, 2012