Patrick Sharp will have hip surgery Tuesday, ending one of the toughest seasons of his career.
But in battling through two concussions, hip pain, and his dad's fight with leukemia, Sharp has shown significant fortitude. The Dallas chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association nominated Sharp on Saturday as its candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given each season to a player who displays the attributes of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
"It shows what kind of person he is and what kind of hockey player and leader he is," Stars captain Jamie Benn said. "I think that's why he's a winner at every level he's played at. I think that's why he's a great leader for this team and a great guy for a lot of these young guys to look up to."
Sharp, 35, is an unrestricted free agent on July 1, so he could have had the surgery earlier and gotten a head start on trying to get a contract for next season. However, he said he wanted to help the Stars keep fighting, though the chances of making the playoffs were dwindling. Dallas is nearing mathematical elimination and is heading out on a five-game road trip, so now is the time for Sharp to get the surgery.
"This was a tough, tough year for him, and he gave everything he had," general manager Jim Nill said.
Sharp played 48 games and had eight goals and 10 assists. Excluding the lockout season of 2013, those are his lowest totals since 2003-04. His minus-22 stat is the worst of his career.
The Stars also announced Saturday they have recalled Jason Dickinson to take Sharp's place.
Sharp's dad, Ian, was diagnosed with leukemia seven years ago, but the disease worsened this year and he was hospitalized. Ian Sharp received stem-cell treatment, lost weight and lost his hair. He is now back home in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and feeling much better, but the experience was traumatic for the family.
At the same time, Sharp was dealing with a concussion that kept him out for 26 games in two stretches. He said he felt the effects of depression sometimes associated with concussions and also started thinking too much about the end of his career.
"It's been tough," Sharp said. "I knew it was going to be a challenging year with my father and what he has been going through. Looking back on the season, I probably could have handled my emotions a little better maybe."
And yet those who watched said he was a rock. Sharp, in fact, tried to come back from his concussion after 12 games and learned a lesson from the experience. After playing in seven games, he sat back down for 14 games to get back to feeling right. Sometimes, you have to know when to step aside.
"It's tough to make that decision to sit out and get healthy, but I think it's the right thing to do," he said.
Like now, at the end of the year, when hip surgery is needed. Sharp said he has been playing through the pain for a while, but he has a good feeling about this procedure. Benn had double hip surgery in 2015. Ales Hemsky had it in October and is back on the ice playing well. It is something that can be managed.
"I've done a lot of research on it and I know what to expect," Sharp said. "I'm confident I can get it done with our great staff in Dallas and come back strong."
And as for next year?
"I'm not worried about next year at this point," he said with a smile.
But Nill didn't mind spilling the beans a little bit about what Sharp might want to do going forward.
"We're going to get the surgery done, let him heal. He's going to train, and then let's take a look at him," Nill said of potentially inking Sharp to a new contract. "We've had conversations. If he comes back, he wants to be in Dallas. He thinks he's a Dallas Star."
A Dallas Star who has learned a lot during a tough season.
"It's easy to feel good about yourself when things are going good and your confidence is high and health is good," Sharp said. "I think you show your true colors when you're up against it, and that's something I probably learned from my dad."
