Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom underwent successful hip surgery on Friday and will have a recovery timetable of about 12 weeks.
According to the team's website, Backstrom had a labral deficiency and cartilage damage repaired by Dr. Marc Philippon. The cartilage damage was less than originally anticipated, lowering the recovery time.
Backstrom, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, signed a four-year deal worth $24 million to keep him in Minnesota through the 2012-13 season. He appeared in 71 games for the Wild in 2008-09, compiling a 37-24-8 record and a 2.33 goals against average.
Minnesota failed to advance to the playoffs this season.