Miro Heiskanen is underrated. The planet earth is also round. It’s something that everyone who follows, and understands the game already knows. When you’re a fan of the Dallas Stars it’s a fun reality to revisit, and can be a bit annoying at times. Nevertheless, Heiskanen is the NHL’s best defensemen that doesn’t get the Norris trophy consideration.
Shutdown defense
In terms of offensive defensemen, Cale Makar is the best in the game. But if you’re asking for somebody to defend Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby, Heiskanen is your guy. Miro back checks, stick checks, skates as well as anybody, and on occasion he’ll throw a hit along the boards.
Earlier this year, the Stars had to do without Heiskanen for a little bit. They weren’t the same team. Giving up four or more goals in that early January three game skid highlighted how valuable Heiskanen is to team defense. The Stars helped themselves two months later with that fact by signing Chris Tanev. But Miro is still the number one man on team defense. Arguably on the whole team too.
More with 4
How well would Dallas be playing without Miro in the lineup this year? That is a question that Stars fans never want to have to answer. Fortunately it’s nothing to worry about since Heiskanen is healthy. But it does add perspective just how valuable he is to this team.
While we’ve talked about Heiskanen’s fundamentals on defense and skating, he scores too. On the deepest offensive team in the league, Heiskanen finished seventh in team scoring. Tallying 54 points on 9 goals, and 45 assists in 71 games. While pundits would’ve liked to see more offense from Heiskanen, his team still won 52 games. Heiskanen s order when he had to.
Best player on the best in the west
Looking back four years ago, lets not forget Heiskanen’s brilliance in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. Fast forward to 2924, Heiskanen is the engine of the Dallas machine that won the western conference this past week. As long as he’s healthy, the Stars have a legitimate chance at playing in June.
If we’re talking potential Conn Smythe nominees in Dallas, Heiskanen’s name will be along side Wyatt Johnston, Joe Pavelski and Jake Oettinger. One might think we’re getting ahead of ourselves thinking about this. However, if Dallas does win their second Stanley Cup it makes these conversations more fun looking back.
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