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New Jersey Devils defenseman Jon Merrill underwent successful shoulder surgery on Monday. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

(Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

New Jersey Devils defenseman Jon Merrill underwent successful shoulder surgery on Monday, the team announced Wednesday. He is expected to be sidelined four months.

"This past Monday, Jon Merrill underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder," Devils General Manager Ray Shero said in a release. "The procedure was performed at the Midtown Surgical Center in New York City by the club's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow. His expected recovery time is approximately four months."

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Merrill had his season cut short by the shoulder injury, missing the final 10 games of the season after last playing on March 19. Merrill also missed more than a month in January and February with an arm injury. The 24-year-old defenseman played in 47 games last season.

Merrill will also be a restricted free agent this summer following the end of his three-year contract.

A four-month recovery period would put Merrill's return just before the start of the regular season.

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyanHS. Find NJ.com on Facebook.