'We're adding one line to our team': Seguin, Radulov, Hintz hit the ice
The trio, along with goaltender Ben Bishop, skated on the first day of training camp on Thursday
Good answer, and it really says a lot.
Seguin has been battling nagging injuries for about a year and a half. However, he had hip surgery last year and has completely recovered. He's entering camp at near 100 percent.
Alexander Radulov had surgery to repair a core injury that has bothered him for years. He said he too is near 100 percent.
Roope Hintz had surgery to repair a groin injury and while his recovery is still ongoing, he should be in a much better place than he was last season. And Ben Bishop is hoping a two-year battle with his knee is finally over and he can eventually return to play.
That's a pretty big laundry list of key players who could finally be healthy, and it's a group that could indeed make the Stars a lot more "dangerous" than they were last season.
"To have those guys back healthy, ready to go, that's a major plus for our team," said Stars general manager Jim Nill. "At the time when Radulov got hurt, he was our leading scorer. He was playing some of the best hockey I've seen him play. And Tyler has been one of the elite scorers in the league.
"You lose those two players, it's a major impact. And to have them back healthy and on our team, it just helps to slot everybody in their right spots. We're adding one line to our team with Roope (healthy) after last year. You're talking a pretty good No. 1 line on any team."
Hintz was able to jump in and out of the lineup and still tally a point a game. Radulov had 12 points in 11 games when he was shut down. Seguin played three games and had two goals late in the season. Bigger picture, Radulov is a KHL legend who in parts of four seasons with the Stars has averaged 0.85 points per game. Seguin at 29 should be in the prime of his career and when he was last fully healthy in 2018-19 put up 80 points (33 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games. Hintz, 24, had a breakout season with 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) in 41 games and did that while battling through a pesky groin injury.
And Bishop…well, all he has done since joining the Stars in 2017 is lead the NHL in save percentage at .923 and rank second in goals-against average at 2.33 among goalies who have played at least 50 games.
Now, all four must remain healthy and live up to their previous performances, but it sure does bode well when players like this are trending up.
"Bish looked fantastic, Seggy was skating well, and so was Rads," Stars coach Rick Bowness said when asked about his observations on Day 1. "They know their bodies, and they seemed to handle it OK. Are they 100 percent? No. But hopefully by October 14th, they all will be."
If they are, what kind of difference can that make for a Stars team that missed the playoffs?
"We know when we're healthy, we're a very good hockey club," Bowness said. The key is to get everybody at 100 percent and stay there as long as we can. If we can stay healthy, we really like our hockey club."
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Seguin said the experiences of the past year were tough, but added that he feels stronger because of them.
"I never wanted to have this reset, but having it has been a blessing physically and, honestly, mentally," he said. "You're remembering how much you love this game, and how much I love the routine of it and the lifestyle of an NHL player, being on the plane, and being a part of something bigger than yourself. It was dark days not being a part of that, so I'm excited to be around the guys."
Seguin has had his share of injuries from a knee in 2015 to a sliced Achilles tendon in 2016 to a fractured foot in 2016 even before this hip situation. But he rehabbed last year, played his three games, and that allowed him to head into the summer with a pretty healthy body that he could push through workouts. Now, he said he feels good.
"When you're on the back nine of your career, I don't know if 100 percent is ever going to be legit, but definitely high 90s," he said when asked if he's 100 percent. "I'm feeling great, I'm really excited. It's hard not to have a smile on my face every day at training camp, being a part of the team again, being around the locker room and meeting all of the kids, it feels somewhat normal, so it's exciting."
And a somewhat normal Seguin is kind of a big deal. Mix him with Hintz and Jamie Benn and Radek Faksa, and the Stars could have a very dangerous center group that could be tough to defend. Add Radulov on the wing, and the team suddenly can increase power-play efficiency and overall scoring.
It's a world of potential that has everyone excited.
Radulov said he really hasn't felt completely healthy in years. He's been managing an injury that has been better and then worse at varying times. He said last season it got to the point where he had to have it looked at surgically. Now that is has been, he said he feels 100 percent.
"It's my first surgery since I started playing hockey," Radulov said. "At some point, you realize you're not getting younger. It's tough, but it's a great feeling when you can go and compete as a normal hockey player instead of always thinking what if I do this, what if I do that. Going on the ice and giving 60 or 70 percent, it's not enough. You've got to give it all."
And a healthy Radulov giving his all is a difference-maker.
"No one loves to score more than Rads," Stars head coach Bowness said. "It's fun to watch him. You miss his enthusiasm and his work ethic. It's good to have him back. He's in really good shape physically and we hope he can stay healthy."
The Stars last season went 4-8 in overtime and led the league with six shootout losses. Seguin has hit 50 percent of his career shootout attempts, while Radulov has hit 40.5 percent. Both are key overtime performers, as well.
"All the games in overtime, the shootout, Rads makes a big difference in those situations," Bowness said. "So does Tyler. We all know how poorly we did in the overtime, but getting the personnel that can handle those situations better, that's going to fix a lot of those problems."
In fact, getting all of them back healthy could make a big difference in returning the Stars to the playoffs. Bishop still is a bit of a wildcard, but there's a very good chance that Seguin, Radulov and Hintz are all in the lineup on opening night.
And that could make the Stars very dangerous - like a team that was in the Stanley Cup Final last September.
"It was a year ago we were in the finals, so I think we can draw on it," Seguin said. "Remembering a year ago today where we were, and looking at our team that's still here, pretty much everyone. With the additions that we've made, we've only gotten better. That's gives us a lot of confidence going into the season."
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.
