Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Darius Kasparaitis underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and is expected to return to the team sometime early next season.

The defenseman injured his knee in the preseason but managed to play 48 games until his skate caught in a rut March 5 during a game against Edmonton and did more damage to the knee ligaments. He hasn't played since.

Wednesday's operation was the second reconstructive surgery on Kasparaitis' right knee in four years. He underwent surgery in New York and expects to rehabilitate over the summer at his Long Island home.

Kasparaitis said earlier this month he would go to Russia to avoid watching the team in the playoffs without him. He is eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season.