Stars GM Addresses Injury Woes Ahead of Playoffs

Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill discusses the team's extensive injury list as they prepare for a tough first-round matchup against the Minnesota Wild.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:43pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the intensity and unpredictability of the playoff matchup between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild.The Dallas Stars' injury-plagued roster faces a tough test against the Minnesota Wild in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Dallas Today

The Dallas Stars are dealing with a number of key injuries as they head into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the absences of Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, and Tyler Seguin. Despite the roster challenges, Stars GM Jim Nill is not making excuses, praising the team's resiliency and the contributions of younger players who have stepped up throughout the season.

Why it matters

The Stars' injury situation could significantly impact their chances in the playoffs, as they face a tough first-round matchup against the Minnesota Wild, who are largely healthy. How Dallas manages these injuries and gets production from their depth players will be crucial in determining if they can make another deep playoff run.

The details

The Stars will be without Roope Hintz for the first two games of their series against the Wild, while Miro Heiskanen's return date is unknown after a recent lower-body injury. Tyler Seguin, who underwent ACL surgery in December, is also out for the season. Despite these significant losses, GM Jim Nill praised the team's resiliency, noting that they've been dealing with injuries all year, including to key players like Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, and Thomas Harley. Younger players like Mavrik Bourque, Arttu Hyry, Justin Hryckowian, and Oskar Back have stepped up to help the Stars remain competitive.

  • Roope Hintz has been out since March 6 and has been ruled out for Games 1 and 2 against the Wild.
  • Miro Heiskanen suffered a lower-body injury last Thursday, and his return date is unknown.
  • Tyler Seguin underwent ACL surgery in December and is out for the season.

The players

Jim Nill

The general manager of the Dallas Stars, who has praised the team's resiliency in the face of numerous injuries this season.

Roope Hintz

A key forward for the Dallas Stars who has been ruled out for the first two games of their playoff series against the Minnesota Wild.

Miro Heiskanen

A star defenseman for the Dallas Stars who suffered a lower-body injury and whose return date is unknown.

Tyler Seguin

A veteran forward for the Dallas Stars who underwent ACL surgery in December and is out for the season.

Mavrik Bourque

A young player for the Dallas Stars who recorded his first career hat trick in a recent game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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What they’re saying

“Part of the game. That's what impressed me this year about the team, the resiliency that we've had. From Day 1, we've been hurt. We lost Jamie Benn in training camp. We lost Matt Duchene. We lost Thomas Harley for six weeks. We lost Tyler Seguin for the year. We lost Lian Bichsel for two months. We lost (Nils) Lundkvist for two months.”

— Jim Nill, General Manager, Dallas Stars

What’s next

The Stars and Wild will begin their first-round playoff series this weekend, with the first two games taking place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The takeaway

The Stars' ability to overcome their extensive injury list and get key contributions from their depth players will be crucial in determining if they can make another deep playoff run, despite the challenges they face against a healthy Minnesota Wild team.