Newcomer D-Man Bichsel Impressing Stars Brass With His Brute Force And Shut-Down Capability

Rookie defenseman Lian Bichsel is impressing Stars brass with his rugged physical game and shut-down skills. But he needs to force Dallas brass to keep him on the NHL roster.

As the Dallas Stars continue their 2024 pre-season, defenseman Lian Bichsel is making a very good impression. The 20-year-old defenseman scored the game-winning goal in Monday’s 3-2 win over Colorado, and he’s showing why Stars GM Jim Nill speaks so glowingly of him.

Mind you, Bichsel is not making a name for himself based on his offensive contributions. At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, he’s a brute and he’s feared in his own zone. The most Bichsel has produced on offense was a 23-assist, 28-point season in 2020-21 – and that was at home in Switzerland, when he was 21 years old. Clearly, he’s not going to challenge Cale Makar in the points-by-a-defenseman department. But if he can use his size to punish opponents and shut down the other side more often than not, Bichsel is going to be a key component of Dallas’ defense corps for years to come.

The Stars would love to put Bichsel into their top-six mix, but the room on the defense corps is already taken up by six NHL veterans. But that’s not to say that Bichsel can’t force management’s hand. Bichsel spent much of last season in the Swedish elite league honing his craft, but he still might need some time to acclimate to the smaller North American ice surface. And that’s why Dallas management isn’t about to rush him into a situation he’s not ready for.

That said, if Bichsel can demonstrate he’s completely ready for a full-time NHL job, the Stars will find a way to work him into the lineup. Yet with Grade-A D-men like Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell ahead of him on the depth chart, NHL minutes aren’t going to come easily for Bichsel. 

But patience is a virtue, and the good news for Bichsel is he’s going to continue being groomed for a top-four spot on the back end. And the more he thrives in the pre-season, the more Bichsel ensures himself a golden opportunity.

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