Amid a week of disappointing news, the Dallas Stars received one positive update before their first-round playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche.
Defenseman Miro Heiskanen was on the ice for the team’s optional morning skate ahead of Game 1 Saturday night. It was his first time joining the team in an on-ice workout since his knee injury on Jan. 28.
Miro Heiskanen is out here for Stars morning skate.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) April 19, 2025
It’s the first time he’s skated with the group.
Doesn’t mean anything for tonight, but certainly encouraging for this series. pic.twitter.com/uuM7Wt5N8q
”It’s a development,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “It’s another step. He’s being reintegrated with our group. It’s at a morning skate, so there’s no contact. That would probably be the next step that he’s at a full practice with us with contact. But definitely a step in the right direction.”
DeBoer said Heiskanen is now being termed day-to-day.
Dallas’ star defenseman underwent knee surgery in early February after a collision with Vegas’ Mark Stone. At the time, his anticipated return was set for late in the regular season or early in the playoffs.
While Heiskanen won’t be available for Game 1 Saturday, his presence at a team skate makes his return later in the series more possible.
His return would be a massive boost for Dallas. Defensemen Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell are expected to play close to 30 minutes per night in the playoffs to account for Heiskanen’s absence. He averaged 28:11 of ice time in Dallas’ last playoff run and recorded 16 points in 19 games.
He also had 25 points (five goals and 20 assists) in 50 games for the Stars this year.
Against some of Colorado’s stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Heiskanen could be the difference in the series. Dallas could have a tough time surviving Colorado without him returning at all.