Dallas Stars’ head coach Pete DeBoer stated today that alternate captain Tyler Seguin is “close to returning,” per Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas News. However, DeBoer added that Seguin has not yet been cleared for full contact.
Seguin’s season was derailed by a left hip injury that occurred in December and required two surgeries. Prior to the injury, the 33-year-old recorded 9 goals and 20 points and a plus-14 rating in 19 games.
Seguin’s eventual return should support Dallas’ Stanley Cup aspirations, especially with the additions of Mikael Granlund and Mikko Rantanen. Seguin, who remains on long term injured reserve, still has two years remaining on his deal with a $9.85MM cap hit. He has recorded 808 points in 988 career games.
With just five games remaining in the regular season, it will be interesting to see if Seguin can return before the playoffs begin. The Stars currently sit second in the Central Division with 105 points.
Elsewhere in the Central:
- Minnesota Wild defender Jake Middleton didn’t skate at practice today and has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game, per NHL.com reporter Jessi Pierce. Middleton sustained an upper-body injury was hit from behind during last Friday night’s loss to the New York Islanders by forward Bo Horvat and was originally listed as day-to-day. In 66 games on the season, Middleton has recorded eight goals, 20 points, and a plus-12 rating. He has also averaged 21:56 of total ice time per game, recorded 98 hits, and blocked 155 shots. His return will greatly support Minnesota’s hopes to clinch a playoff spot down the stretch. The team currently sits four points ahead of the Flames for the final wild card spot in the west.
- The Colorado Avalanche have recalled forward Chris Wagner from the AHL, per a team announcement. Wagner, 33, has produced one goal and 51 hits in 24 games for the Avs this season. He has added 19 goals and 31 points in the AHL this season. A veteran of 397-career NHL games, Wagner is in the lineup tonight against the Golden Knights, skating on the fourth line with Jack Drury and Parker Kelly.