NHL Offseason Injury Updates: Huberdeau Returns to Ice as Seguin and Drysdale Target Training Camp Comebacks

The grueling nature of the NHL season inevitably leaves a trail of physical attrition, but the late-June offseason window is bringing a wave of optimistic recovery news for several franchises. As teams look toward the 2026-27 campaign, medical updates on marquee players are providing a much-needed boost to fanbases in Calgary, Dallas, and Philadelphia.

In Calgary, the most encouraging development centers on veteran winger Jonathan Huberdeau. The 33-year-old underwent a season-ending hip resurfacing procedure in March, a complex surgery that has historically threatened careers but has recently seen successful returns from players across the league.

Flames General Manager Craig Conroy confirmed this week that Huberdeau has officially returned to the ice for light skating. Conroy noted that the forward's rehabilitation is progressing smoothly, and he is currently trending toward being fully cleared for the start of training camp in September.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are closely monitoring the recovery of two vital pieces of their forward depth. Tyler Seguin, who suffered a devastating season-ending ACL tear in December, has spent the past six months undergoing intensive physical therapy to rebuild his knee strength.[2]

Stars General Manager Jim Nill provided a comprehensive update, stating that Seguin's reconstructed knee is responding well to the rehabilitation workload. Alongside Seguin, defensive specialist Radek Faksa is also on the mend after undergoing surgery to repair a lingering foot injury sustained during the grueling regular season.[2]

Nill expressed confidence that both Seguin and Faksa are on schedule to participate in September's training camp. Their healthy return is a critical factor for a Dallas roster that relies heavily on its veteran leadership and two-way stability to navigate the highly competitive Western Conference.[2]

In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Flyers are anticipating a breakout campaign from defenseman Jamie Drysdale, who was acquired in a blockbuster January trade. Drysdale managed to play 24 games for Philadelphia, tallying five points, before a significant core muscle and lower-body issue required surgical intervention in April.[1]

Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere revealed at the recent NHL Scouting Combine that Drysdale's procedure was successful and completely unrelated to a previous shoulder surgery that derailed his 2022-23 season. Briere commended the young defenseman's character, noting that Drysdale actively chose to play through the discomfort to prove his commitment to his new club.[1]

"He got checked after the season and there's a significant injury there that he needed surgery on," Briere explained, adding that the medical staff expects Drysdale to be fully ready for training camp. Briere emphasized that the corrective procedure should allow the dynamic skater to play much more freely next season.[1]

These successful offseason rehabilitations underscore a broader trend in modern ice hockey: the remarkable efficacy of contemporary sports medicine. Procedures that once mandated a full calendar year of recovery—or threatened early retirement—are now being managed with accelerated, highly monitored protocols that protect the athlete's long-term health.

For Huberdeau, Seguin, Faksa, and Drysdale, the summer months will remain focused on strength conditioning and gradual on-ice escalation. If their current trajectories hold, all four are poised to reclaim their pivotal roles when the puck drops on the new season, turning a narrative of injury into one of resilience.