Stars' Hemsky feels improved after hip surgery: report

Dallas Stars right wing Ales Hemsky is spending a good portion of the summer recovering from hip surgery and said he is improving and aimed at having a bounce-back season.

"I can already feel I have more motion," Hemsky told the Dallas Morning News in a report published Tuesday. "It's just been two months and I know I have a long way to go, but I can feel the difference."

Hemsky had 11 goals and 21 assists in 76 games last season playing the majority of the season alongside center Jason Spezza. Hemsky didn't score his first goal of the season until Nov. 28 against the Minnesota Wild.

"It was a lot of pressure I was putting on myself, and I think I worked through that," he said. "This feels completely different."

The Stars, who failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, have upgraded their offense with the acquisition of left wing Patrick Sharp from the Chicago Blackhawks. With four right-handed shooters among the top-six forwards, Hemsky, normally a right wing, may have to spend some time on the left side.

"I just want to do whatever I can to help the team, and I'll play wherever they tell me to play," Hemsky said. "I think we all feel that way. We'll do what we need to do to make it work."