Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill has finally spoken to the media about the injuries their team suffered through the return to play, and it is quite the list. From Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press, captain Jamie Benn was playing through a shoulder injury. Blake Comeau suffered a separated shoulder, Jason Dickinson suffered foot and ankle injuries. Radek Faksa broke his wrist, while Roope Hintz suffered an injured hip and fractured ankle. Esa Lindell and John Klingberg were playing through hand and shoulder injuries, respectively, while Ben Bishop had undergone knee surgery in May. Tyler Seguin, who perhaps took the most criticism for his play in the postseason, suffered a torn labrum in his hip and will be out for the next four months. Anton Khudobin, who played throughout and was the team’s playoff MVP, had surgery to relieve numbness in his hands because of a nerve issue.
Nill also announced that Rick Bowness will return as head coach and removed his interim tag. Bowness took over when Jim Montgomery left the Stars midseason and took the team all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals despite this long injury list. He’ll return to try again, though it’ll have to be without his postseason star.
Khudobin, 34, will test free agency according to Nill, who explained that their cap situation couldn’t handle bringing him back at the price he is going to command. More than just your average backup, Khudobin proved that he can be the perfect 1B for a contending team looking for elite goaltending, even if he may not be able to handle the full load of a starter. In 30 regular season games he posted a pristine .930 save percentage and would likely have won the Conn Smythe trophy if the Stars had been able to find a way to win the Stanley Cup.
Amazing how tough hockey players are and MLB players land on the IL with a “mild back strain”
A back strain can mess up your whole swing or delivery.
Baseball involves highly unnatural bodily motions that could easily cause serious injury if not executed just right. I’m not saying hockey is easy by any means, but success in baseball depends on those highly unnatural bodily motions, especially for pitchers.
There was once a guy that landed on the DL with a sunburn that’s the height of baseball injuries haha
They would be useless if they played baseball injured.
Some guy’s are making millions hitting below the Mendoza line.That is unless. Chris Davis anyone.
This is true.
Having said that…when I see ballplayers act like they are dead from hitting a padded wall…
Well, let’s just say that their toughness does not compare favorably with hockey players.
I have seen more than once an OF break his hand,wrist,ribs.Get a head injury. Nothing like 100% hour pitch back at you.Just the toughest baseball player doesn’t compare to a hockey player ever.Bobby Baun comes to mind very quickly. Even better toughness. Anyone in the military. Those bullets hurt. That is being tough.
You forget that these MLB clubs have invested up to hundreds of millions of dollars in some of their guys, fully guaranteed. It’s not worth the risk to have them play through an injury that will inevitably put them on the IL regardless, but for longer. Or worse.
Great job Rick Bowness another Maritime coach in the NHL well deserved..
Khudobin is a journeyman who had a good run. Anyone who gives him more than 2 years is nuts.
Thank you My Stars for the Enjoy you gave me this year.Now get healthy if at all possible.Comments about Dobby are spot on.There were several KC royals who got chicken pox in 2014. A hockey player would play with then if allowed.
Ouch, my hamstrings started hurting after hearing the word Baseball.
I hear you Kingsfan1968. Well said
As much as I hate to admit you are correct NHL and then MLB for sure. hockey players are much tougher