Seguin practices, could return for Stars in playoff opener

Not only did the Dallas Stars finish the season with victories in nine of their final 11 games, the Central Division and Western Conference champions are getting healthier.

"We finished the year with seven guys out of our lineup, but we've gotten some key guys back," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said Monday during a phone interview.

The biggest name could be Tyler Seguin. The young superstar practiced with Dallas for the first time since sustaining a lacerated Achilles' tendon March 17.

While Seguin didn't skate on a regular line in practice, the Stars have two more practices before the series against the Wild opens Thursday.

"It gives us one more dynamic player," Ruff said. "Just his shot and the speed in his game, he can be a game-breaker on the offensive side for us."

Added Seguin: "It's not fully up to me, so I'm doing everything I can to be prepared, and obviously I want to play."

Despite missing the final 10 games, Seguin finished 14th in the NHL with 73 points in 72 games. His 33 goals tied for 10th.

"Tyler is right up there," Suter said. "He can skate, shoot, they're physical, they're big bodies, they're tough to move. Just really good players."

Defenseman Christian Folin, who stands 6-3, could make his NHL playoff debut Thursday as Wild interim coach John Torchetti looks to add more size to the back end. Folin didn't play in any of the Wild's 10 playoff games last spring.

"It would be a pretty cool experience. I got to watch it pretty closely last year," Folin said. "It was part of the learning curve during last year's postseason. It's tough when you're not playing, but it was fun being around the guys and watching what it's all about.

"[Dallas] has some big, skilled forwards. You've got to slow them down and take time and space away from them. I look forward to the matchup."

The Wild signed 2012 fourth-round draft pick Adam Gilmour to a two-year, entry-level contract starting next season. The center, who had 28 goals and 73 points in 119 games during three seasons with Boston College, could have become a free agent.

With no rush because the potential contract would start next season, Tuch will talk more with his family, adviser and professors, a source said. Tuch had 18 goals and 34 points in 40 games this past season as a sophomore.

Fox Sports North will televise Games 1 through 4 of the Wild-Dallas series. Local TV for Games 5-7 has yet to be determined.

Arizona's Dave Tippett is out as a potential Wild coaching candidate this offseason.

On Monday, the Coyotes fired General Manager Don Maloney and made clear Tippett, who has two years left on his deal, will have more say in player personnel decisions.