Patrick Sharp minced no words Thursday before Dallas played the Blackhawks on Thursday at the United Center: “It’s been a tough season, that’s for sure.”

Sharp, who won three Stanley Cups in his 10 seasons with the Hawks, missed time with a concussion and is currently playing through a hip injury. He has 8 goals in 46 games and is looking forward to the off-season so he can get healthy and try to contribute to a team for at least another year.

Here’s an edited transcript of Sharp’s Q&A with reporters:

Q: “How weird is it not going to the playoffs this year?”

A: “It’ll be tough watching the playoffs, but that’s the position I’m in. Nobody feels sorry for me or the team. We have to find a way to get out of it.”

Q: Did you consider shutting it down?

A: Eventually you probably have to get something fixed up. It’s just a matter of time really, but in the mean time I can skate and I can play and I’m going to go out there and help any way I can.

Q: Have you been watching the Hawks and what do you think?

A: Yeah, they’re a good team. I’ve watched their games and it seems like every young player they inject into the lineup brings something to help them win and that’s a credit to the organization, a credit to Stan (Bowman) and his staff of having great depth. You surround those speedy, young skill players with the players here already and good things are going to happen.

Q: Do you get an extra charge to be back here?

A: It’s always nice to be back and see familiar faces, but after the first couple games against the Hawks, it’s just another hockey game. But it is nice to be back in Chicago and nice to be back at the United Center.

Q: With your injury, did it hurt your trade value and could you have held up in the playoffs?

A: That’s why I wasn’t moved. I’m going to get the surgery and I don’t think I would be able to finish the season or go deep in the playoffs. So I decided to get healthy and get the surgery, which will be happening pretty soon.