Stars’ Miro Heiskanen out of 4 Nations with lower-body injury
Stars head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters Thursday that Miro Heiskanen has been ruled out week-to-week due to a lower-body injury.
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Finland just suffered a massive blow to its defence corps.
Dallas Stars defenceman Miro Heiskanen was ruled out of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday with a lower-body injury sustained on a big hit from Vegas captain Mark Stone.
The setback also leaves the standout blueliner week-to-week with the Stars.
Dallas coach Pete DeBoer said Thursday that Heiskanen had an MRI and was planning to see a specialist for more information on the prognosis.
Heiskanen was injured in the third period of the Stars’ 4-3 overtime victory over Vegas on Tuesday after taking the hit from Stone, who fell toward Heiskanen’s left knee and thigh after getting tripped. Stone hasn’t been fined or suspended.
Stone, who was penalized for tripping, said he wasn’t trying to injure Heiskanen. DeBoer, who coached Stone in Vegas, said he didn’t think Stone was a dirty player but questioned why officials didn’t review the play for a five-minute major penalty. There was a brief clash between the teams while Heiskanen was sprawled on the ice.
The 4 Nations runs Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. It’s the first international tournament featuring the NHL’s best players in nearly a decade.
A lengthy absence for Heiskanen will be a setback for the Stars, who have reached the Western Conference Final each of the past two seasons. Dallas is second in the Central Division, with Colorado and Minnesota close behind.
Heiskanen has been a top defenceman for the Stars since making his debut as a 19-year-old in 2018. Dallas drafted him third overall in 2017.
–with files from Sportsnet
