Stars' Seguin adjusting to long injury absence: 'This is new territory for me'

For Tyler Seguin, the biggest obstacle in his recovery from a knee injury is in his head.

"It's very frustrating. It's weird watching games. I've really never missed time during the season for injuries," Seguin said Friday after missing a week. "I had a concussion last year and a few injuries that was I able to get surgery for in the offseason and luckily didn't have to miss any time. This is new territory for me."

Seguin is receiving painful blood injections as part of his treatment. The Dallas Stars forward is expected to miss at least two more weeks due to the injury, which he suffered when Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov caught him with a low hit.

"Everyone, including him, knew it was a dirty hit," Seguin said. "It's a fast game. I don't know if he intended to, but I don't think he would. It's really not in our game as much anymore. It's not that league anymore. I was talking after the game to Shawn Thornton, who used to be in Boston, and he said (Kulikov) was choked up about it."

According to Seguin, Kulikov apologized to him through Thornton. Seguin thought a harsher punishment was in order for the hit, but he respects the NHL Department of Player Safety's decision to suspend Kulikov four games.

"The four games, I expected a little more but I know it was his first offense and he has no history. I am sure that played a part in it," he said, "They've got a tough job with suspensions. It's just like refereeing; you have to respect it and let them do their job."

In the meantime, Seguin is trying to stay positive while watching games from the press box, keeping himself involved and emotionally invested in what is going on at ice level.

"I get a little emotional, more than I thought I would, especially last night," he said. "The Colorado game it was back-to-back and I knew the guys were tired. Last night I was yelling a bit at certain plays. I am definitely the team's biggest fan right now, biggest supporter."