Coach Glenn Gulutzan said Wednesday that Seguin will be out for a significant amount of time. The 33-year-old forward was injured at New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
“It’s not just us, it’s the league and it’s very unfortunate,” Gulutzan said. “It’s a tough day for us today with the news. Other people have to step up and play now.”
Seguin got into a tangle with Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov in the first period. Seguin went down in pain, could not skate and needed the help of several teammates and an athletic trainer to get off the ice and more assistance down the tunnel to the visiting locker room area at Madison Square Garden.
Gulutzan said the team found no positive news when looking more closely at Seguin’s knee.
“There are a lot of injuries coming up and a lot of games, so we have to keep moving forward,” Gulutzan said. “There are a lot of guys that have had their opportunity arise from this misfortune. We just have to take it away: It’s the next guy’s opportunity, the next guy’s opportunity and run with it. That’s what good teams do is they just keep going with the players that they have.”
Seguin missed most of last season after hip surgery. He returned for the finale and the Stars’ playoff run to the Western Conference Finals. He has been with Dallas since joining in a trade from Boston in 2013.
“I couldn’t hang out with him last year, but I talked to our leadership group here and what I learned is how much he (worked hard) and how much effort he put in to come back last year and how hard-working he is,” Gulutzan said. “He’s a great leader for us, and he’s a great supporter and he’s the guy, quite frankly, that I’ve probably been most impressed with — just his leadership ability when I’ve been here.”
Nathan Bastian was expected to take Seguin’s place in the lineup Tuesday night at the New Jersey Devils. In the long term, the team hopes that center Matt Duchene will be able to help fill the void after returning from his injury.
According to Gulutzan, this could happen “sooner than later” if Duchenne’s current progression continues.
“You have to get other people to step up,” Gulutzan said. “If Dutchy comes back, he’s going to have to take some of that. (Maverick Bourque is) going to get more opportunity. There’s going to be more opportunity for more people, and then you’ll see who takes it. So, you’re not really cheating anybody. You’re just seeing who takes it.”
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