Mike Van Ryn, right, has played just 27 games in Toronto. (Gerry Broome/Associated Press)Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn said on Friday he will undergo realignment surgery on his left knee.
The procedure, which is similar to what hockey great Steve Yzerman underwent, will require a recovery time of six months
It's the latest setback for the 30-year-old Van Ryn, who's been dogged by injury woes in recent years. Van Ryn shut down an injury-plagued 2008-09 season to undergo arthroscopic surgery on the knee.
Van Ryn appeared in just 47 games over the past two seasons with Toronto and Florida.
The London, Ont., native came to Toronto in the trade 13 months ago that sent longtime Maple Leaf Bryan McCabe to the Panthers.
He had three goals and eight assists in 27 games with Toronto last season.
He suffered a broken hand, broken nose and concussion after suffering an illegal hit in November of last season, and underwent two wrist surgeries towards the end of his tenure with Florida.
While the Leafs effectively lost the McCabe-Van Ryn deal from a hockey standpoint, the player is under contract for a deal he originally signed with the Panthers.
Had he played this season, Van Ryn would have represented a $2.9-million US salary cap hit.
