Dallas Stars

Stars Heiskanen Quietly Filling Jersey #4 Just Fine

Dallas Stars Miro Heiskanen setting pace for NHL D in 2020 playoffs and becoming an early Conn Smythe candidate.

by
NHL Trade Talk
September 8, 2020

Although a lot of hype this playoff season has been directed toward the feats of rookie defencemen Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), another young defender is quietly making a substantive mark on the 2020 NHL playoffs – Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars. According to the Score’s Josh Gold-Smith, Heiskanen has made a strong case for Conn-Smythe consideration after two bubble stricken playoff rounds.

The 21-year-old sophomore from Espoo, Finland is the leading point-getter for the Stars, and tied for second in total playoff scoring with 21 points (5 goals and 16 assists) over 17 games. His smooth, explosive acceleration with the puck up ice might invoke memories of another #4 from yesteryear. While some readers might cringe at any comparison of Bobby Orr and this rising Finnish Star playing out in the Texan flatlands, it is worth a quick playoff comparison.

Miro Heiskanen has 21 points in only 16 games in the 2020 postseason, the most by any skater for the @DallasStars since 2000 when Brett Hull and Mike Modano and 24 and 23, respectively. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/0IxkgBx8JN
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 6, 2020

During Orr’s third playoff campaign he was able to garnish 9 goals and 11 assists in 14 games. Notably, those 20 playoff points came after a 120-point campaign by Orr. Yes, that is correct – Mr. Orr put up 33 goals and 87 assists during the 1969/70 regular season. While this modern day #4 will likely never put up similar regular season point totals, Heiskanen is on track to become an exciting NHL superstar.

Stars Looking Ahead

The 3rd overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, Heiskanen is entering the last year on his entry level deal, meaning he has been a deep bargain for the Stars. However, the Dallas organization is undoubtedly planning around the pay day for this future Norris candidate. Time will tell whether the Stars continue their conquest for the Stanley Cup, but the NHL must be ecstatic about the growing group of young defencemen overtaking the position right now.

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