When he hurt his knee last season, Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Sharp rushed back from injury because the team's offense stunk and they were playing .500 hockey in a playoff race.
Expect no such rush back from his emergency appendectomy on Monday -- thank the preseason for that.
From the Blackhawks and Head Team Physician Dr. Michael Terry:
"Patrick Sharp underwent an emergent surgical appendectomy this evening after experiencing some abnormal abdominal discomfort. The surgery was successful and I anticipate a full recovery in approximately three to four weeks."
So Sharp will miss training camp and there's an outside shot he could miss Chicago's opening weekend against the Dallas Stars (Oct. 7 and Oct. 8). Blackhawks camp opens this Saturday.
Speedy recovery, Patrick Sharp. Take solace in the fact that you've got a 5-year, $29.5 million contract kicking in during 2012. And in the fact that you're Patrick Sharp, and we're not.