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Dallas Stars: Heiskanen not out of the conversation for the Calder

By Avery Klatsky

DALLAS, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airlines Center on December 20, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airlines Center on December 20, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Stars forward Miro Heiskanen has played a fantastic first NHL season, and as a result, he may be one of the top names in the running for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

One of the most exciting and anticipating aspects to the 2018-19 NHL season for Dallas Stars fans was seeing how Miro Heiskanen, the third-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, would transition in his first season in the National Hockey League.

To say that he has played well would be an understatement. A big understatement.

In just 37 games, Heiskanen has recorded 17 points (7 G, 10 A), 36 shot blocks, and 20 hits.

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Heiskanen leads all rookie defensemen—including Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin, the 2018 first-overall draft pick—in total minutes logged this season with 858, beating Dahlin’s 763. Heiskanen’s high minute count lands him in second place among skaters on the Stars’ roster, with only Esa Lindell in front of him. Lindell has 913 minutes played across 37 games.

What is so surprising among Dallas Stars fans to see, though, is the way Heiskanen plays the game. His speed, puck movement, and shooting skill give him a sizeable advantage as an offensive defenseman.

In his first NHL game, he showed flashes of speed and quickness and the ability to turn a puck-battle in the Stars’ defensive zone into an offensive chance at the other end of the ice.

Of course, it wouldn’t take long for Heiskanen to pot his first NHL goal, which came off a one-timer by a feed from Jason Spezza on the odd-man rush against the Anaheim Ducks to give Dallas a 2-3 lead.

Heiskanen’s strong point production makes him tied for sixth (with Toronto forward Andreas Johnsson) among rookies in points and second among rookie defensemen (behind Dahlin). Here is a look at the leading rookie scorers so far this season. Find the full list here.

  1. Elias Petterson, C – VAN – 17 G, 19 A – 36 P
  2. Colin White, C – OTT – 9 G, 14 A – 23 P
  3. Rasmus Dahlin, D – BUF – 4 G, 16 A – 20 P
  4. Andrei Svechnikov, RW – CAR – 10 G, 8 A – 18 P
  5. Brady Tkachuk, LW – OTT – 10 G, 8 A – 18 P
  6. Andreas Johnsson, LW – TOR – 8 G, 9 A – 17 P
  7. Miro Heiskanen, D – DAL – 7 G, 10 A – 17 P
  8. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C – MTL – 4 G, 13 A – 17 P
  9. Anthony Cirelli, C – TBL – 9 G, 5 A – 14 P
  10. Dennis Cholowski, D – DET – 6 G, 8 A – 14 P

Winning the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is given to the NHL’s best rookie every season, is no easy feat. Heiskanen will have to battle it out with Elias Petterson, Colin White, Rasmus Dahlin, and others to win the coveted trophy.

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However, with his recent play, high scoring count (especially for a defenseman), and lengthy minutes log, it wouldn’t be far from the realm of reality to suggest that Miro Heiskanen could walk away with the Calder. And if he does, it will be a perfect beginning to what will likely become a long and prosperous career for Heiskanen in the National Hockey League.

What do you think, Stars fans? Will Miro Heiskanen will the Calder Memorial Trophy? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

  • Published on 12/26/2018 at 12:17 PM
  • Last updated at 12/26/2018 at 12:17 PM
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