Miro Heiskanen, the Dallas Stars’ top defenseman and one of the NHL’s best, is getting closer and closer to returning for Dallas in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Heiskanen has not played ...

Heiskanen, whom the Stars drafted No. 3 overall in 2017, is widely regarded as a top-five defenseman in the NHL. With both lockdown defensive abilities and offensive prowess, Heiskanen recorded 25 points in 50 games for the Stars this year after logging 16 points in 19 playoff games for Dallas in 2024.

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen sent a defiant message after mounting an inspiring comeback against the Edmonton Oilers.

And while two overtime victories and a game seven hat trick from Mikko Rantanen in the team’s opening round win over the Colorado Avalanche certainly served as a path to getting back on track, a daunting task awaited in the second round in the form of the western conference’s top team from the 2024-25 season, the Winnipeg Jets.

Heiskanen hasn’t played since Jan. 28 and had knee surgery on Feb. 4. The Stars hold a 2-1 series lead over the Jets.

Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene could not have explained the value of Miro Heiskanen any better after Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Dallas has reached the Western Conference Final in each of the past two seasons. In those two Stanley Cup Playoff runs combined, Heiskanen led the Stars with 28:00 of average ice time and their defensemen with 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 38 games.

The Dallas Stars are getting ready for the Western Conference Final showdown against the Edmonton Oilers. Dallas lost to Edmonton last year in this same spot, so they will try to get themselves back to the Stanley Cup Final.

When the Edmonton Oilers met the Dallas Stars in the 2024 Western Conference final a year ago, Thomas Harley largely flew under the radar on a blueline that was led by Miro Heiskanen and also featured grizzled veterans Esa Lindell,

The Dallas Stars face a crucial moment in Game 5 against the Winnipeg Jets, with Miro Heiskanen's availability adding intrigue to the playoff clash.

Winger Mikko Rantanen, who came to the Stars at the trade deadline, leads all players with nine goals and 19 points, while goalie Jake Oettinger has stood tall despite facing 102 more shots than anyone else in these playoffs.