Morning Hits: Stars, Duchene, Blues, Oilers and Las Vegas
Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin
On Dallas Stars, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn

Shawn McKenzie: Team Canada coach Mike Babcock said that Tyler Seguin has an ankle injury. Seguin tried to play through it, but it wasn’t getting better.

Mark Stepneski: Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill said that Tyler Seguin won’t be skating for seven to 10 days due to a foot injury. He should be ready to go close to the start of training camp.

Mark Stepneski: GM Nill said that Jamie Benn’s recovery is on schedule from his offseason surgery. He should be ready for the start of training camp.

On Matt Duchene

Chris Johnston: Team Canada’s Matt Duchene is dealing with a minor injury, but coach Babcock said that his status isn’t in doubt.

On the St. Louis Blues …

Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues forward Alex Steen had surgery on his shoulder on June 3rd. He was expected to be re-evaluated in early October. Steen advanced his rehab in hopes of being able to return for the World Cup, but he came up short. The good news for the Blues is that he could now be ready for the Blues home opener.

“(The opener) seems like a realistic target, but we’ll see how it reacts. I haven’t done much. These (practice) skates, there’s not a lot of contact, so we’ll see once we get a little bit of contact. But I think for sure I see myself playing in October.”

On the Edmonton Oilers …

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Last year Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom broke his finger on December 12th, then his ankle blew up on Christmas morning. He was on antibiotics, but it couldn’t kill the infection, so surgery was required. It got infected again and his season was eventually shut down. He’s back on skates and ready to go.

“I think I am 100% for sure, I’ve been skating for how many weeks now, even months. I feel good. If it would have been a game tomorrow I would play for sure. I am more excited than ever. The body feels good. And the skates are good too. And we’ve got a real good medical staff that has helped me a lot.”

On Las Vegas …