The Dallas Stars had a big presence in Milan this week, and the spotlight was once again on Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen.
The Finnish stars joined 24 other European-born NHL players at the home of AC Milan as part of a promotional partnership leading into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
But the bigger news was Hintz finally giving a clear update on the broken foot that sidelined him during the playoffs.
Hintz suffered the injury in the Western Conference Final after a slash from Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The play was controversial at the time, drawing only a minor penalty.
Hintz missed Game 3 of the series but came back to skate in Games 4 and 5, even scoring once, before the Stars were eliminated.
On Friday, Hintz told reporters that he's healthy and ready for the new season.
"I'm feeling good. My foot is fine and I've been able to train normally this summer. So everything is good,"he said during the event in Milan, via The Hockey News.
The timing of Hintz's recovery is crucial, as he and Heiskanen will play major roles for both the Stars and Team Finland this season.
NHL players are officially returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, with Milan and Cortina hosting in February. That means both Dallas standouts could face one of the busiest seasons of their careers.
The visit to San Siro, the iconic stadium in Milan, wasn't just symbolic. It was part of a partnership between the NHL and Italy's top soccer league, celebrating the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage. For Hintz, it was also a chance to show that his injury concerns are behind him.
Personally, I think this is the best possible update for Stars fans. Hintz is a cornerstone of Dallas's top line, and having him fully healthy before such a crucial season might make the difference in another deep playoff push.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!