A difficult season for Patrick Sharp is mercifully over.

The Dallas Stars forward will have hip surgery Tuesday that will end his 2016-17 campaign, the club announced Saturday.

Sharp's ailment prevented him from being dealt before the trade deadline, and that issue - plus a pair of concussions - limited him to only 48 games this season.

On a more positive note, the Dallas chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association nominated Sharp as its candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy on Saturday.

It's awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Sharp will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The three-time Stanley Cup champion turned 35 in December.

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