Stars coach Pete DeBoer said he thinks Hintz is getting close, after missing six games, and the fact Dallas is home for the next eight games should mean an eventual return of the team's No. 1 center. The fact that Seguin filled in so well - tallying eight points in six games - seems to indicate that the Stars could get two players back when Hintz returns.
"He was great tonight," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said of Seguin getting two goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over the Kings on Thursday. "He's been great overall. He's filled right in there nicely. There are not many teams that can lose a No. 1 centerman and continue to win games, especially with the schedule we've had. That kind of depth helps that."
Seguin, 30, has spent the greater part of his career as a No. 1 center and a point-a-game player. Injuries have knocked him down a peg and last season he averaged just 0.60 points per game. This season he was in a similar rut with 27 points in 41 games (0.68 points per game) and was on a four-game scoreless streak. But in jumping up to play on the top line with Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson, Seguin has been reborn. He has five goals and three assists and looks like his old self.
"There's some extra jump," Robertson said. "He knows the opportunity to come play and fill the role. He's embracing it and enjoying it. We all like that extra jump he's got right now."
Goalie Scott Wedgewood, who grew up with Seguin in Ontario and played junior hockey with him in Michigan, said Seguin has always had the ability and he's just taking advantage now.
"He's got skill and then some," Wedgewood said. "Growing up with him I know what he can do with the puck and how well he shoots it. He's going to get pucks on net and with Roope gone, he's done a good job stepping up. I think he loves that."
Seguin said he is enjoying himself. His time on ice has gone up about two minutes per game and he's put 22 shots on net in six games.
"It's great," he said. "I like to play with those guys, and I have fun playing with them. I'll just keep Roope's seat warm."
Seguin said he knows Hintz will slide back with Robertson and Pavelski, as that has been one of the best lines in the NHL for the past two seasons. Still, he would love to keep the current mojo going.
"I know I'm not going to play with those guys forever," he said. "This game is about opportunities and I'm just trying to make the most of it and not mess up their chemistry too much. My role is more of a depth one, but you take advantage of any opportunity you get and help the team any way you can."
When Hintz returns, could Seguin slide into the right wing spot on a line with Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston? Could he center the third line and possibly be flanked by Mason Marchment and Ty Dellandrea or Denis Gurianov? The coaching staff has been juggling the third and fourth lines in Hintz's absence, so there are a lot of possibilities.
The bottom line is that Seguin could be a catalyst, wherever he lands.
"We'll see what happens when we get to that situation," DeBoer said. "I think he's been waiting for a stretch like this. I think he deserves a stretch like this. He's worked hard for it and he's finally getting rewarded."
And it makes everyone happy.
"It's a credit to him," Wedgewood said. "I hope he keeps it going, because he's a big part of our team."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
