Messier said the doctors told him he could be out from six weeks to three months.

Messier, whose shoulder has been bothering him since mid-December, exhausted treatment options while trying to avoid surgery, which he has never had. Late yesterday afternoon, the Rangers even postponed a news conference to announce that Messier would have the surgery, because Messier and team officials were engaged in a last-ditch conference call with the developers of an ultrasound treatment that he underwent in Toronto two weeks ago.

The Canada-based developers of the ultrasound treatment, which is not legal in the United States, argued that Messier should give it more time to work.

But the Rangers opted for having the surgery now, in part, because if Messier misses six weeks, he has a better chance of rejoining the Rangers for the playoffs if they qualify for them for the first time in five seasons. Drs. Andrew Feldman and Tony Maddalo are scheduled to perform the surgery at St. Vincent's Manhattan Hospital.

"Whether I come back this season depends on a lot of things, some of which may be out of my control," Messier said, including how well the Rangers are playing and whether they make the playoffs. Having the surgery now, he said, "is the best scenario in a bad situation."

Coach Ron Low said, "We will miss Mark terribly in the dressing room, just like we've missed him on the ice."

In 41 games this season, Messier has 7 goals and 16 assists. Messier, who did not miss a game last season, missed his 20th of the season last night, as the Rangers played their 61st game.

Messier is in the final season of his contract but said the injury would not determine whether he would retire. He said it would be based on whether he still enjoyed the game, could get in shape to play and retained his passion for hockey.

"If anything, my resolve has never been stronger to come back and play," Messier said.

As late as the morning of Dec. 30, the Rangers were leading the Eastern Conference. But with injuries besetting two of their top centers, Messier and Eric Lindros, the Rangers have been thin up the middle since mid-December. They are tied with Montreal for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference.