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Dallas Stars: Five Surprise Players From The 2018-19 Season

By Josh Clark

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 10: Roope Hintz #24, Roope Hintz #24, and Justin Dowling #37 of the Dallas Stars congratulate teammate Miro Heiskanen #4 on scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 10: Roope Hintz #24, Roope Hintz #24, and Justin Dowling #37 of the Dallas Stars congratulate teammate Miro Heiskanen #4 on scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 05: Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 5, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 05: Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 5, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Miro Heiskanen

There seems to be a growing trend of young Dallas Stars making up this list, and that’s an encouraging sign. So, let’s talk about the youngest Star for a moment.

On July 3, 2018, the Stars were presented with a significant fork in the road. With the free agency period off and running, word arose that Dallas and the Ottawa Senators were engaged in trade talks. The already-established and elite defenseman Erik Karlsson was the Stars’ main target and they were rumored to be the lead team to land him.

And they probably would have landed him had it not been for the Senators’ unshakable desire to have rookie defenseman Miro Heiskanen included in the return package. The defender had just been selected third overall by the Stars in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and seemed to have all the makings of a generational talent, but had never played a game of NHL hockey.

That’s where the debate centered. Karlsson had already proven himself as a rare talent at the NHL level and was entering his best years, while Heiskanen was expected to make his NHL debut at the beginning of the 2018-19 season. There was a lot on the line with the decision.

But Nill ended up sticking with the rookie, and the 19-year-old paid him back handsomely as the season progressed.

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    • Heiskanen made a monumental splash right out of the gate and added a multifaceted element to the Dallas blue line. His youthful energy was put on display as he skated an average of 23:07 per game. His offensive supremacy was visible as he scored 12 goals and tallied 33 points in 82 games. His dedication to the team was put on display through 71 blocked shots (fifth on the team) and an ability to step in and play a big role when the blue line was hit hard by the injury bug early in the season.

    He ended up being the Stars’ lone representative at the 2019 NHL All-Star Game in San Jose and participated in the Fastest Skater Competition to further show off his speed and abilities.

    Heiskanen was an electric piece of both the Dallas blue line and the Dallas offense. The coaching staff raved about him all year, while both local and national analysts began pushing him further into the spotlight. His response? “Oh yeah, it was fun. I’m just playing my game.”

    In the playoffs, he tacked on two goals and four points in an average of 25:31 skated per game during the Stars’ 13-game run.

    And while you may be wondering why he’s on the surprise list considering the hype that he brought into the season, he’s on the list because he shattered expectations and did so in a relatively quick manner.

    Many wondered whether Heiskanen would take some time to adapt and even wondered if he might struggle out of the gate. Even Stars head coach Jim Montgomery talked about his hope to have Heiskanen playing at top speed somewhere shortly after Christmas.

    Heiskanen was arguably at top speed before the first month of the season had ended. From there, it was nothing but more positive strides.

    The rookie was amazing in his first year in North America and looks to be a cornerstone for the Dallas blue line moving forward. There’s not much more that has to be said.

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