The Dallas Stars could be entering the upcoming season in much better shape than they left it last season.
Star centre Roope Hintz spoke to reporters on Friday, saying that he’s recovered well and seems more than ready for the start of training camp in September after suffering a broken foot in the Western Conference Final last year.
“I’m feeling good. My foot is fine and I’ve been able to train normally this summer. So everything is good,” Hintz said, per NHL.com, at the NHL’s European player media tour in Milan, Italy, on Friday.
Hintz suffered the injury in Game 2 of the series against the Edmonton Oilers after being slashed by defenceman Darnell Nurse, who received a two-minute minor penalty but no supplemental discipline.
The centre missed Game 3 of the series but managed to return for the final two games of the Western Conference Final, netting a goal in the decisive Game 5. He suited up around 17 minutes in both games.
“It’s always hard if you get injured at that time of the year, but you just try to find ways to get back on the ice as quick as possible,” Hintz said about his willingness to suit up with the broken foot. “We found a good solution there and I was able to play, and I felt like normal. So it’s OK, it’s been fine after that.”
Luckily, the injury didn’t seem to worsen despite playing in Games 4 and 5, and Hintz didn’t require surgery on the foot over the off-season.
The 28-year-old is a key piece for the Stars, as he finished with 28 goals and 39 assists for 67 points in 76 games last season while centring Dallas’ productive first line alongside Jason Robertson and fellow Finn Mikko Rantanen.