The Dallas Stars made the Western Conference Finals for the third straight year in 2025. Led by the likes of Matt Duchene and Miro Heiskanen, Dallas once again came close to making the Stanley Cup Final. Once again, however, they lost to the Edmonton Oilers.
Their run was rather impressive, though. Especially considering that Heiskanen, one of their best players, was absent for nearly half the run. The star defenseman missed extended time due to a brutal knee injury. He suffered a knee-on-knee collision with Vegas Golden Knights star Mark Stone in late January.
Heiskanen missed the remaining 32 games of the regular season. Additionally, he missed the first 10 games of Dallas’s postseason run. He made his return to the ice on May 13 during his team’s second-round matchup with the Winnipeg Jets.
Some concerns exist over how Heiskanen will perform following his injury. Knee injuries are especially brutal for athletes. And their long-term impacts can be devastating. However, the Stars defender put to bed any concerns on Monday.
“I’m 100 percent back to normal after the surgery,” Heiskanen told NHL.com. “I’ve been able to practice all summer as usual. The knee got some rest after last season, and now I can do everything 100 percent. My confidence is back where it used to be now that my knee can take all the practice and feels fine.”
Miro Heiskanen Reflects on Olympic Experience
Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesThe Dallas Stars were without Miro Heiskanen for a long time following a scary knee injury this past season.
Heiskanen being healthy is huge news for the Stars. As mentioned, he is one of the team’s best players. More than that, he is one of the best defensemen in the league. Having him in the lineup at 100% makes an already dangerous team even more formidable.
This upcoming season is a bit different from recent campaigns, though. In February, the league will pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano, Italy. This is the first time since 2014 that NHL players will participate in the Olympics.
Heiskanen has already been named as a player who will skate for Team Finland. And it’s an event he is certainly looking forward to now that his knee is healthy. He is in a unique position, as well, having skated in the 2018 Winter Olympics before joining the Stars roster.
“It was a great event,” he told NHL.com of that experience. “No players from NHL that year, but it was still a great experience. Great memories. I suspect those Olympic experiences will help me now. I know what to expect, how everything works.”
Stars Going For Another Stanley Cup Run in 2025-26
Heiskanen will play a vital role in Dallas’s success this upcoming season. However, he certainly isn’t the only key cog in the machine. Dallas spent this summer keeping its band together to give them a chance at the Stanley Cup in 2026.
The Stars did lose a few members of its roster. Matt Dumba was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer. Mason Marchment went to the Seattle Kraken. Cody Ceci and Mikael Granlund departed in NHL Free Agency.
However, they kept two of their most important players. Jamie Benn returned on a one-year contract. And the Stars worked out a four-year contract extension for forward Matt Duchene.
Dallas is hoping they have the talent needed to win it all. Only time will tell if they’ve made the right moves. Heiskanen and the Stars make their 2025-26 debut on October 9th when they travel to face the Winnipeg Jets.
Stars’ Miro Heiskanen Provides Update on Knee Injury