The Dallas Stars’ defense took a significant hit with the news that key blue-liner Miro Heiskanen has been injured. Reports indicate that he will be unavailable for a week or more due to a lower-body injury.
Miro Heiskanen has been ruled week-to-week with a lower-body injury, per Pete DeBoer.
He had an MRI yesterday and will see a specialist today to learn more about the injury.
He is doubtful for 4 Nations, but no official decision yet.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) January 30, 2025
Miro Heiskanen Injured; Out Week-to-Week
Heiskanen sustained an injury during the third period of the Dallas Stars’ 4-3 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. The injury occurred when Vegas forward Mark Stone collided with the 25-year-old defenseman, making contact with Heiskanen’s knees. Stone contended that he was tripped by Stars forward Roope Hintz, whose stick briefly touched Stone’s skate blade.
After the collision, Heiskanen fell onto the ice as a scuffle broke out between the two teams. His teammates assisted him off the ice, and he did not return to the game. Prior to the injury, he had recorded an assist on a first-period goal by Mavrik Bourque, extending his point streak to five games.
Although Stone received a minor penalty for tripping, some argue it should have been a more severe “clipping” penalty under NHL rules.
Heiskanen’s Injury History
Heiskanen endured a significant injury last January, missing 10 games due to a lower-body issue after a collision with former backup goalie Scott Wedgewood during a match against the Colorado Avalanche. The Stars managed a 6-3-1 record in his absence, and he returned to help secure a 5-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Additionally, Heiskanen missed some time during the 2020-21 season with another lower-body injury and had to go through concussion protocol in 2020.
What the Injury Means for the Dallas Stars’ Defense
Heiskanen’s injury is undoubtedly a setback for the Dallas Stars. He plays a vital role on the top defensive pairing and is likely the team’s most talented defenseman. His ability to excel offensively while maintaining defensive discipline has been a hallmark of his career.
Currently, Heiskanen ranks eighth on the team with 25 points this season, leading all Dallas defensemen. In his absence, Thomas Harley steps into that leading role, but there is a noticeable drop-off in talent among the remaining Stars defensemen. This injury also comes at a challenging time as the Stars have recently placed fellow defenseman Nils Lundkvist on injured reserve due to an undisclosed issue.
Fortunately, the organization has developed considerable depth, leaving five defensemen from the 2024-25 opening night roster available. However, Brendan Smith has been filling in as a fourth-line forward lately, creating another gap in the Stars’ defense.
Replacement Options
Rookie Lian Bichsel, who was called up from the American Hockey League, has been making a strong impression in the NHL this season and is likely to secure a permanent spot on Dallas’ blue line. Nonetheless, decisions will need to be made to fill additional positions.
NHL teams typically have seven active defensemen—six in the lineup and one healthy scratch for each game. With the recent injuries, the Stars now have just six defensemen available on the active roster, necessitating at least one roster move to accommodate Heiskanen’s absence.
Examining the Texas Stars roster, Dallas’ AHL affiliate, Alexander Petrovic could be a viable option. As a seasoned NHL player, he earned a chance to rejoin the Dallas roster through his performance in the last postseason. The team might also consider Kyle Capobianco, who joined the club this offseason, or more highly-touted prospects like Gavin White or Christian Kyrou.
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