Tyler Seguin injury update: Hairline fracture in heel

Tyler Seguin’s heel injury is worse than the Dallas Stars initially believed.

The Dallas Stars are looking to win a Stanley Cup this season. In fact, possibly the only thing that kept them from winning it last season was Tyler Seguin’s injury that kept him out throughout the playoffs. Seguin suffered a heel injury during the exhibition games at the World Cup of Hockey. It’s worse than expected, as Seguin has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture.

Seguin will be re-evaluated in a week to see how much progress he has made. However, this is not looking good for the Stars. While they are still an extremely good team even without Seguin, they aren’t a Stanley Cup contender without him. Depending on how bad the hairline fracture is, Seguin could miss as many as 16 weeks. Rest is the only way to treat a hairline, or stress, fracture.

Tyler Seguin has a hairline fracture in his heel. Will be re-evaluated in one week. Statement from GM Jim Nill: pic.twitter.com/QJ9hLxlmXg

— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) September 17, 2016

His timetable for return is up in the air until his re-evaluation. Hairline fractures are very tricky to pin down for recovery time because each body heals differently. Luckily, it appears that the hairline fracture is not related to the Achilles injury that kept him out during the playoffs.

Optimistically, it sounds like Seguin’s hairline fracture isn’t too severe. He likely would have known if it was severe. If the injury is not severe, Seguin would still likely miss most of training camp but could easily be back for the regular season.

Seguin had 73 points (33 goals and 40 assists) last season in 72 games. He has at least 30 goals in each of his last three seasons. In 426 NHL games, Seguin already has 355 points. Without Seguin, expect the Stars to replace him with Jason Spezza on their first line. Third line center Cody Eakin will likely be bumped up to the second line to replace Spezza.