Stars’ Lian Bichsel in concussion protocol, will miss time

The Dallas Stars will be without defenseman Lian Bichsel for the immediate future as he enters concussion protocol, Stars general manager Jim Nill confirmed Tuesday per Sean Shapiro of DLLS Sports.

Facing the New York Islanders on Sunday, Bichsel exited midway through the second period and did not return following a hit by Islanders center Casey Cizikas. As a result of the injury, Bichsel is expected to be out of the lineup for a minimum of five-to-six days.

Skating in his rookie season with the Stars, the 20-year-old Swiss-born blue-liner has made 18 appearances in which he has scored twice and added three assists five points coupled with 14 penalty minutes and a plus-six rating. Bichsel has also seen time with the minor-league affiliate Texas Stars, counting 28 contests in which he has tallied nine points counting three goals and six assists alongside 36 penalty minutes and a plus-nine mark.

Bichsel was originally chosen 18th overall by the Stars in the 2022 NHL Draft.

With Bichsel sidelined, he joins an injured list in Dallas that already includes fellow defensemen Nils Lundqvist, who is out for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery, as well as Miro Heiskanen, who has been sidelined since early February following knee surgery.

Facing the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, defenseman Brendan Smith will enter the Stars’ lineup in place of Bichsel. A frequent healthy scratch this season, the 36-year-old rearguard has been limited to 24 appearances in which he has tallied four assists alongside 31 penalty minutes and a minus-four rating.

On the season, the Stars sit second place in the Central Division with a 37-18-2 record and 76 points. In facing the Blue Jackets, Dallas will look to push its current win streak to four games. The Stars have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the past three seasons.