The Dallas Stars announced that defenceman Miro Heiskanen is in the league’s concussion protocol.
Rick Bowness confirmed that Miro Heiskanen is in concussion protocol but is getting better.
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) January 18, 2020
Miro Heiskanen Injured
Heiskanen got hurt when trying retrieve a puck into the corner of his own zone early in the second period Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 20-year-old was battling for the puck when Sabres forward Rasmus Asplund came in and checked and kneed Heiskanen in the head.
He left the game after two more shifts and Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said the Finnish defenceman was “day to day” in his post-game remarks. Bowness did not specify if Heiskanen got a concussion.
So far this season, Heiskanen has scored seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points in 47 games. The Espoo, Finland native also has six penalty minutes. His possession numbers are 50.6 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 2.7.
Over his two-year NHL career, Heiskanen has played only for the Stars. He has 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 career points in 129 career games. Dallas originally drafted him in the first round, third overall of the 2017 NHL Draft.
“We all know what he does for us,” Stars interim head coach Rick Bowness said to the Dallas Morning News. “Our breakouts are a lot better, he joins the rush and he’s a danger on that offensive blue line. Take him out of there, and that’s a big hole. There’s just no getting around that. Injuries happen, and got to keep playing. Got to overcome them.”
Bowness did say the young defenceman was getting better, but didn’t offer a timetable for his return.
What This Means for the Future
Heiskanen does have a previous concussion as he missed the 2017 training camp after he suffered one in Finland.
He is a very important cog in the Stars’ great defence. Heiskanen finished fourth in last year’s Calder Trophy voting for rookie of the year. He’s excellent on rushes and plays well at both ends of the ice. The Stars hope he’s not out long.
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 24: Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars plays the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 24, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
