Stars’ Tyler Seguin Records Assist in Return From Hip Surgery
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin made his triumphant return to the lineup during Wednesday night’s regular-season finale against the Nashville Predators, playing his first game since Dec. 1, 2024.
Seguin, who underwent hip surgery on Dec. 5 and was ruled out for four to six months, was activated from long-term injured reserve prior to puck drop at Bridgestone Arena and played 14:48 of ice time in his return. And it wasn’t long before he made an impact on the score sheet.
The 33-year-old earned an assist on Mason Marchment’s opening marker just 16 seconds into the contest. But it was the only time the Stars found the back of the net, as they dropped a fourth consecutive game heading into their first-round matchup versus the Colorado Avalanche.
“I think no matter what, when you’re coming back from anything, there’s always a question mark,” Seguin told reporters following Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to Nashville. “I’ll take it and run.
“I’m going to be able to be a part of this starting Saturday.”
Seguin registered three shots on goal and won five of his seven face-off attempts in the losing effort to the Predators.
Heading into Game 82, Seguin had missed the previous 58 contests as he recovered from his procedure. In 19 games before going under the knife, he scored nine goals and 11 assists while winning over 50 percent of his draws in the face-off circle.
The plan behind having the Brampton, ON, native participate in Dallas’ final regular-season game was to shake off any rust and get his feet underneath him heading into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“It’d be nice, I think,” head coach Pete DeBoer said pre-game. “I don’t think anyone wants to step in cold into a playoff game after being out the time he’s been out. But it is only one game too. It’s always nice to get those game-like reps and that feel if we can get him in.”
The Stars will renew their rivalry with the Avalanche after clinching the second seed in the Central with 106 points and a 50-26-6 record, earning home-ice advantage through the opening round.
Seguin will likely remain on the club’s second line, skating alongside linemates Matt Duchene and Marchment, just as he did a night ago. He’ll also maintain his role on the second power-play unit.
The 6-foot-2 forward, originally selected second overall by the Boston Bruins in 2010, is in the sixth season of an eight-year, $78.8-million contract that carries a $9.85-million cap hit per season. He was acquired by the Stars via trade following the 2012-13 campaign.
In 989 career NHL games split between Boston and Dallas, Seguin – a six-time All-Star – has registered 360 goals and 809 points while averaging 18:05 minutes per night.
The veteran forward has logged 10 separate playoff appearances, winning the 2011 Stanley Cup as a rookie with the Bruins. Over 133 career postseason contests, he’s been a consistent clutch performer, racking up 25 goals and 71 points.
But Seguin hasn’t advanced to the Cup Final since the ‘20 playoff bubble, with the Stars falling in the Western Conference Final during each of the last two postseason.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @Hall_Thomas_
Photo: David. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.