Oilers' Ference to have hip surgery, out for season

Andrew Ference's season is finished.

The Edmonton Oilers announced Thursday the veteran defenseman is to undergo hip surgery and will miss the remainder of their playing schedule.

In truth, Ference's season ended before it started. Between injuries and healthy scratches, Ference, stripped of his captaincy over the summer, has been limited to six games all year.

The Oilers are on the hook for one more season with Ference, who will take another $3.25 million from the pie next year.

With a dastardly 40.3 percent Goals For rate and 44.2 Corsi For percentage, Ference has been a colossal disappointment since coming over from the Boston Bruins in free agency.