Stars Make Disappointing Miro Heiskanen Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 6:19 PM ET

Dallas Stars No. 1 defenseman Miro Heiskanen hasn't played in an NHL game since Jan. 28.

He suffered a knee injury after colliding with Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone in the third period.

The Finnish star then had surgery on his left knee on Feb. 4 and was given a timeline of three-to-four months for recovery.

Head coach Peter DeBoer offered a discouraging update on Heiskanen's progress, stating that it's "a realistic possibility” that the 25-year-old blue liner will miss at least the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Without Heiskanen, the Stars are 10-4-2, though two of those defeats came against strong opponents—a 4-3 overtime loss to Colorado on Sunday and a 4-1 setback against the first-place Winnipeg Jets on Friday.

Dallas is amid an arms race with Colorado in the Central Division, possessing a two-point lead heading into Tuesday evening's schedule.

“We’re going to get Colorado, Winnipeg, somebody really good in the first round [of the playoffs]; that’s a given,” DeBoer said. “On paper, we’re going to have similar lineups to whoever we’re playing. So that chemistry, that team identity, all those things you’re trying to establish down the stretch are going to be the things that hopefully separate you from whoever you’re playing at that time of the year because there’s not going to be a lot of skill separation on paper.”

Heiskanen has recorded 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 50 games while leading the team with an average ice time of 25:10 this season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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