Dallas Stars Defenseman Injury Leaves Uncertainty for Future
After getting injured in last night's overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Dallas Stars await a prognosis on their number one defenseman.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports - Dallas Stars Defenseman Injury Leaves Uncertainty for FutureAfter colliding with Scott Wedgewood less than two minutes into the third period, Miro Heiskanen did not return to the game.
Once Heiskanen got the bench, it appeared he tried to stay and continue playing, but shortly after was seen heading down the tunnel with the Stars trainers. There was no update after the game, per head coach Pete DeBoer.
What does this mean for the Stars?
If Heiskanen is out for any period of time, Dallas is in a world of hurt. Heiskanen averages about 25 minutes of ice time per game. The next closest is Esa Lindell with 19 minutes.
Not only is Heiskanen the clear cut number one defenseman, trusted in any critical situation, he is also their best defensive puck-mover and quarterbacks the top power play unit (and sometimes even the second unit).
If the remainder of the game against Colorado didn't make it glaringly obvious that the Stars have a gaping hole on the blue line when the Avs came back from 4-2 to force overtime, the lack of replacements for Heiskanen during 3-on-3 OT should be. The Stars were forced to roll with three forwards for a majority of overtime.
The focus for the trade deadline was to fix the blue line, but if Heiskanen is out for an extended amount of time, it might force General Manager Jim Nill to make a move sooner than later.
A short-term fix will put the team firmly on the back of Thomas Harley. He has proved that he can handle the tough situations this season as the lone defenseman on the second power play unit and the second option in 3-on-3 overtime, but his time on ice has not yet reflected Heiskanen level usage.
However, he is slowly but surely getting there, double shifting with multiple defensive pairings in recent games. It seems as though the coaching staff is coming to terms with needing to use him more. Just in the last five games, Harley's average time on ice has jumped from 17 minutes, to 22 minutes, to 24 minutes.
Whether a short-term or long-term injury, Heiskanen's absence will also force the coaching staff to not only play but trust Nils Lundkvist in situations they would typically shelter the young D from. Lundkvist has had his fair share of "prove it" moments but none that have allowed Lundkvist to remain a constant in the lineup.
The Stars hope to have a clearer update after further testing. Next up is Nashville at home Saturday.
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