Heiskanen's Knee Injury Affects Stars' Strategy

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen suffered a knee injury during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights when Mark Stone collided with him after being tripped by Roope Hintz. The incident led to Heiskanen's withdrawal from the 4 Nations Face-Off, impacting Team Finland. Initial assessments indicate that Heiskanen's injury is not season-ending, and surgery may be required, though it's not confirmed to be major. Stars GM Jim Nill expressed optimism about Heiskanen returning before the playoffs, pending further evaluation by a specialist. Despite the injury's severity, Mark Stone and coaches from both teams have stated that the collision was accidental. The Stars are cautious about using Heiskanen's cap space for trades as they anticipate his return during the regular season.