Miro Heiskanen Day-To-Day After Taking Puck To Face
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen was involved in a scary play in last night’s Game 3 loss to the Seattle Kraken, taking a puck to the face in a bad spot. In some positive news, though, head coach Peter DeBoer spoke to reporters, including The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf, today and offered an update on Heiskanen’s condition, labeling him day-to-day.
Dallas Stars Sign Lian Bichsel
The Dallas Stars have signed Lian Bichsel to an entry-level contract, according to a team release. The 18-year-old defenseman was the team’s first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, coming off the board with the 18th overall selection. The 6-foot-5 and 215 pound defender is best known for his work in his own zone as well as the physicality he brings to the ice. He will not be looking to take any power play time away from some of the Stars offensive defensemen at any point, but could turn into a dependable defensive option.
Bichsel is a native of Switzerland and played this past season with Leksands in the Swedish Hockey League. He scored six points in 42 games and added one point in three playoff games. Even at the Junior level he was not a major offensive presence, as he scored three points in eight games during his stint with the U-20 program in Sweden.
Bichsel did play well at the World Juniors when facing players closer to his own age. Again, he was not lighting up the scoresheet, but he showed a reliable defensive game while playing huge minutes for a Swiss squad that surprisingly won three of its four preliminary round games before bowing out in the quarterfinal.
Unfortunately, Bichsel was slated to suit up for his country once again at the upcoming World Championships, but was injured in an exhibition game leading up to the tournament and is out long-term with a broken ankle.
In better news for the young player, his new contract is a three-year agreement that will start next season with a cap hit of $950k. He now has plenty of options for the 2023-24 campaign, but will likely head to Texas to play in the AHL with the Stars. Although, it is still possible he returns to Sweden for another season, as an entry-level contract does not mean he necessarily needs to head to North America, but it does point in that direction.
Lian Bichsel Out 6-8 Weeks After Surgery
Promising Dallas Stars defense prospect Lian Bichsel was involved in a rough collision this week in a tune-up game for the upcoming Men’s World Championship, and Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports Bichsel suffered a broken ankle on the play. LeVine added Friday morning that Bichsel underwent surgery to repair the ankle and is expected to be out of commission for six to eight weeks.
It’s an unfortunate setback for Bichsel, who was well on track to join the Swiss contingent at the tournament. Bichsel, who hasn’t yet signed his entry-level contract with the Stars, is hopeful he can resume training for the 2023-24 season.
Bichsel, who won’t turn 19 until next month, was selected 18th overall by the Stars in the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s one of Dallas’ more promising defense prospects, but nonetheless, his post-draft season was a struggle. Bichsel didn’t display much development in his game from last season, registering six points in 42 games with Leksands IF in the SHL and only three points in eight games with Leksand’s junior club. He recorded a minus rating at both levels of play.
Bichsel does not have a contract for next season to play anywhere, although he’ll likely return to Leksand for another year of development.
PHR Playoff Primer: Dallas Stars vs. Seattle Kraken
With the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs now underway, PHR makes its first foray into playoff series analysis with our 2023 Playoff Primers. Where does each team stand in their series, and what storylines could dominate on and off the ice? We begin our second-round coverage with the Western Conference matchup between the Dallas Stars and Seattle Kraken.
The Seattle fanbase waited a long time for a team to cheer for and the Seattle Kraken have given them something to cheer about in just their second season by knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champions in seven games. The Dallas Stars on the other hand were able to dispatch of the Minnesota Wild in just six games on the back of incredible goaltending from Jake Oettinger. Their second-round matchup will mark the first time the two teams have met in the playoffs.
What a difference a season makes. A year ago, Kraken general manager Ron Francis looked as though he’d butchered the expansion draft as Seattle finished near the bottom of the NHL standings. But, fast forward one year later and the Kraken have their first 100-point season, a playoff series victory, and the opportunity for more. For Dallas, they are just three years removed from a Stanley Cup finals appearance in which they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. While the Stars do still have several of the core pieces from that 2020 team, they’ve added a lot of elite young talent to mix in with their older core pieces.
It’s hard to get excited for a series in which the two teams have never met in the playoffs before, but Dallas quietly had one of the most exciting series of the first round, and Seattle provided ample fireworks of their own. This series might not have the draw that some other series may have, but there will be plenty of star power on the ice for Dallas, while Seattle has one of the most balanced lineups in the entire NHL and can outwork almost any team.
Regular Season Performance
Dallas Stars: 51-22-9, 111 points, +43 goal differential
Seattle Kraken: 46-28-8, 100 points, +33 goal differential.
Head-To-Head
March 11, 2023: Dallas 4, Seattle 3 (OT)
March 13, 2023: Dallas 5, Seattle 2
March 21, 2023: Seattle 5, Dallas 4 (OT)
Dallas takes the season series 2-0-1
Team Storylines
One might not think these teams would have much in the way of a rivalry, however for ten days in mid-March they saw a lot of each other. The teams played three times and developed a bit of hate in that time. While a lot has happened since then, there could be carryover.
The biggest storyline in this series will be the high-end skill of the Dallas Stars against the workmanlike attitude of the Seattle Kraken. Dallas has the offense and the goaltending to make a deep run in these playoffs and have much higher expectations than the Kraken, however Seattle has shown an incredible amount of heart this season and are playing with house money at this point. Sometimes the pressure can cause a team to wilt, and sometimes no pressure at all can make a team play fast and loose. It’ll be interesting to see it play out.
The Dallas Stars play with a ton of skill and a ton of speed, led by Jason Robertson, they can put the puck in your net in several ways and can push the pace, or slow down the game if they need to grind out a win. They still possess Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and a few other players from the 2020 run to the finals that know how to get the job done in the playoffs. They have the confidence in their group and their goalie to get it done. Seattle on the other can also play with a lot of pace, they come at you in waves, line after line can contribute on the offensive end. Every line can score, but they don’t have the gamebreakers that Dallas has.
On the backend, both teams have strong blue lines that can help generate offense. Seattle has the size advantage with a couple of towering forces that can crash and bang and clear the front of the net, but Dallas may possess the strength advantage with a physically imposing lineup in which every man in the unit is over six foot. Dallas has the most elite puck mover in Miro Heiskanen, but this year’s version of Vince Dunn isn’t far off, and Seattle has a better collection of point producers and a deeper unit of six. While the Stars defense can do it all, Seattle’s defense can all do it. Coach Dave Hakstol has somehow managed to spread his defensive minutes about as evenly as you will ever see for a defensive unit. I would give the advantage to Seattle in this area as they seem to find an extra gear late in games and have a good track record of shutting the door on their opponents.
In goal, Dallas boasts one of the best goaltenders in the world in Jake Oettinger. His playoff resume is short, but it is strong. He was dominant in the first round, and should he play at that level in this series, Dallas will be tough to beat. Regular season numbers would tell us that Oettinger gives Dallas a huge advantage over Seattle in net, but in round one Seattle received elite goaltending as well. Philipp Grubauer finally gave Seattle the goaltending they thought they were getting when they signed the former Avalanche goalie to a six year $35.4MM contract in 2021. The German netminder hasn’t been able to sustain much success over his two years with the Kraken, but if he can build on his impressive stretch of play in round one, Seattle will have a punchers chance to advance.
Prediction
Anytime an elite goaltender is involved in a series it is always difficult to bet against them. Jake Oettinger has proven himself to be one of the best in the world and so far, has shown an ability to rise to the occasion when the games mean the most. If he can steal a game or two in this series, it will give Dallas a sizeable advantage and could be the difference in the series.
The other element that comes into play is experience. Dallas has a ton of players who have been here before, and while Seattle has some veterans with Stanley Cup playoff experience, it isn’t on the same level. This small detail could be the difference maker for the Stars if they can draw on that experience and find that extra push.
The prediction: Dallas win in seven games.
Remi Elie Linked To Swedish Club
Former Dallas Stars forward Remi Elie could extend his tenure overseas this summer. After spending the 2022-23 season with SHL club Färjestad BK, Swedish outlet Expressen reports that Elie is signing a one-year contract to join fellow SHL team Linköping HC in 2023-24.
Elie last played in the NHL in 2021-22, although it was just a one-game stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old was a second-round pick of the Stars in 2013 and has played just over 100 NHL games over the course of four seasons.
He did have one full-time season in the Dallas organization, recording 14 points in 72 games in 2017-18. After that, however, he spent the next three seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, only getting NHL games in 2018-19.
It seems now that a return to North American hockey is unlikely for Elie, who may find a home in the Swedish circuit. The journeyman forward finished ninth on Färjestad in scoring last season with 18 points in 32 games, alongside former NHLers and prospects Joakim Nygard, Theodor Lennstrom, and Ville Pokka.
The Ontario product also has 256 AHL games to his name, recording 121 points across stints with the Texas Stars, Rochester Americans, and Syracuse Crunch.
Joe Pavelski Practices; Will Travel With Club
The Dallas Stars have a chance to close out their first-round series tomorrow night against the Minnesota Wild, and could have some added firepower in the lineup.
Joe Pavelski participated in practice today and will travel with the team. Head coach Pete DeBoer told Saad Yousuf of The Athletic that the team would “see tomorrow morning” if he’s a full-go.
Pavelski hasn’t played since taking a hard hit from Matt Dumba in game one, though the team has done rather well in his absence. Even without one of their most dangerous offensive players, Dallas has outscored Minnesota 17-13 in the series. Still, there’s little doubt they would have the veteran leader in the lineup if they could.
Set to turn 39 this summer, Pavelski is still playing at an incredibly high level. With 28 goals and 77 points in the regular season, he trailed only Jason Robertson and Jamie Benn for the team lead. His continued excellence is a big reason why the Stars were seen by many as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender when the playoffs began. His return should help them as they try to hold off any Minnesota comeback over the next few nights.
Dallas Stars Loan Riley Tufte To AHL
The Dallas Stars returned forward Riley Tufte to their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, the team said in a release today.
Dallas summoned Tufte from the minors following Joe Pavelski‘s injury in Game 1, giving him some time on the NHL roster during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Head coach Peter DeBoer didn’t insert Tufte into the lineup over the course of four games, however. With Pavelski’s health improving, Dallas has opted to return Tufte to the minors.
The move comes at a natural time for the Stars organization as well. With the Texas Stars finishing high enough in the Central Division to earn a bye past the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, the AHL Stars begin their playoff run on Friday against the Rockford IceHogs. Tufte will be an important middle-six presence for Texas in the playoffs, contributing 35 points in 63 games this season and finishing second among Texas forwards with a +23 rating.
Time is ticking away on the NHL future for the 25-year-old Minnesota native, especially given his first-round billing, but he does play a bruising, power-forward game that translates well enough to Dallas’ bottom six in call-up situations. If Dallas’ season lasts longer than their affiliate, expect Tufte to once again be recalled as part of a complement of Black Aces.
Joe Pavelski Will Travel, Likely Game-Time Decision For Game 6
As the Dallas Stars try to close out their First Round series on the road, they could see an important veteran return to the lineup. Head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters today that Joe Pavelski will travel to Minnesota for Game 6 and will likely be a game-time decision.
Stars/Wild Notes: Wallstedt, Eriksson Ek, Pavelski
With the Iowa Wild’s quick elimination from the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs, The Athletic’s Michael Russo reports the Minnesota Wild are expected to call up their complement of Black Aces today to be around the team while their playoff run continues. While most won’t be called up after Iowa’s exit meetings, Russo said that top goalie prospect Jesper Wallstedt has already been recalled and will serve as the third goalie behind the team’s tandem of Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury.
Wallstedt, 20, didn’t have the playoff performance he wanted in Iowa, recording a .897 save percentage in two overtime losses as Iowa lost their best-of-three series against the Rockford IceHogs. It doesn’t diminish what was a promising stretch run to the season for him, wrapping up his first pro season in North America with a .908 save percentage and a shutout in 38 games for Iowa. Selected 20th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Wallstedt remains one of the best goalie prospects in the league and should gain valuable experience from being around the Minnesota team for the rest of their postseason.
- After attempting to return from injury in Game 3 and skating just one shift, things aren’t looking up for the health of Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek. Head coach Dean Evason told reporters today Eriksson Ek hasn’t skated since his latest injury, as he’s still in the process of evaluation and “not close” to returning to the lineup. Eyes now turn to Sam Steel and Frédérick Gaudreau, who have both performed well so far in the series, to shoulder Eriksson Ek’s absence.
- On the flip side, Dallas Stars winger Joe Pavelski continues to progress in his recovery after a hit in Game 1 that caused him to enter concussion protocol. Pavelski skated with the team today for the first time since the injury, and head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters Pavelski’s progressed in his recovery each day. It remains unclear whether Pavelski will return this series.
Joel Eriksson Ek Will Miss Game Four
Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports that Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason has ruled center Joel Eriksson Ek out for their game four matchup against the Dallas Stars tonight. Evason didn’t give many more details about his availability for the rest of the series, but to say that he wouldn’t be playing this evening.
The 26-year-old Swede missed six games including games one and two of the Dallas series before he returned in game three where he played 19 seconds on the opening shift and left the game. Minnesota has yet to comment on whether Eriksson Ek re-aggravated his previous injury.
Eriksson Ek had an offensive breakout this season for the Wild this year scoring 23 goals and 38 assists in 78 games. His goal totals dipped from 26 to 23, however he demonstrated a different gear when it came to his playmaking. The former first round pick also continued the defensive excellence that has seen him garner Selke consideration the past two seasons.
Minnesota will have an opportunity to put the Stars on the ropes if they can capture game four and take a 3-1 series lead back to Dallas.