Stars' Seguin opens up about struggles in first full season post-injury
Even at just 29 years old, Tyler Seguin is aware he isn't the same player he used to be.
The Dallas Stars center was limited to just three games last season after undergoing a hip arthroscopy and labral repair in November 2020 and a knee scope one month later. He said in May that he basically had to rebuild his entire quad muscle.
The injuries appear to have caught up to Seguin, as he's recorded just seven goals and four assists in 26 games this year. The 34-point pace would mark his worst NHL campaign since he was a 19-year-old rookie with the Boston Bruins in 2010-11.
"Sometimes, you get a little frustrated not having the same kind of game I have in the past," Seguin said, according to The Dallas Morning News' Matthew DeFranks. "Some things that used to click in my head and the opportunities I would get, I haven't really seen this year."
Seguin isn't generating the chances he used to, with his shots and individual expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five both plummeting to career lows, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Knowing his limitations, the veteran forward is trying to find new ways to be productive.
"That's all I know how to do, is when things aren't going a certain way, it's 'Okay, let's grease it up. Let things go off you. Go to those dirty areas,'" he said. "I'm still trying to find that balance of muck-and-grinder and finding that fluid style to my game that I've had."
The grind mentality should be music to the ears of head coach Rick Bowness, who was highly critical of some of his players during Tuesday's loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Bowness understands Seguin is still getting back up to speed.
"Through time, it'll come back to where it was," Bowness said. "It's not there yet. He just has to keep working hard in the gym and he has to keep pushing his pace in practice."
The injuries' impact has served as a harsh reality check for Seguin.
"I've had people close to me tell me it could take a little bit just to get it all back," he said. "I didn't believe them, and I still haven't fully until the last week or two."
Seguin is Dallas' highest-paid player, and he's signed through 2026-27 with an annual cap hit of $9.85 million, according to CapFriendly.
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