Richardson, 32, suffered fractured tibia and fibula bones in his right leg during a game vs. Vancouver on Nov. 17. He underwent surgery the next day, and has spent the past four-plus months working to get back into a game. He and the Coyotes had hoped he would return this season, but with just one week left he simply ran out of time.

GLENDALE -- Coyotes center Brad Richardson, who has been sidelined since November because of a serious leg injury, won't play another game this season.

"Brad Richardson had a successful procedure with team surgeon Gary Waslewski in Phoenix yesterday to remove hardware from his previous leg surgery," Coyotes General Manager John Chayka said Saturday. "He will now be transitioning into his off-season conditioning program and we expect him to be ready for training camp next season."

The procedure performed Friday was originally planned for the off-season, but once it was decided Richardson wouldn't play again this season it was moved up.

Richardson notched five goals and four assists in 16 games this season before his injury, which occurred when he collided awkwardly with Vancouver's Nikita Tryamkin.

"He pushed hard, but it just wasn't going the right way for him," Head Coach Dave Tippett said of Richardson's bid to return. "He'd have some good days and some tough days ... I think it's a bit of a relief for him actually to say 'OK, I'm just onto the next phase now.' He'll have a good summer and be ready for next year."