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Dallas Stars Daily Links: In Harley We Trust

Thomas Harley is stepping up for the Dallas Stars in a big way. But what happens without Miro Heiskanen?

Posted on by Harlan Bowling
Mar 18, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) waves to the crowd after the Stars defeat the Anaheim Ducks in the overtime period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

My good-vibes Links post a couple days ago resulted in a Dallas Stars win — even if it was a bit of a grind. (Yes, I’m taking credit.)

It’s a weird time to be a Stars fan. The boys in Victory Green have been a contender for several years, falling just short a few times. This year the vibes started strong — and then lulled as the Stars couldn’t find a way to score for a few weeks (and don’t get me started on the power play).

Then we hit 2025 and we were off and running. The Stars flew out of the gate and couldn’t be stopped. Even when Miro went down, the next-guy-up mentality (looking at you specifically, Thomas Harley) just filled in the gaps. Then the trade deadline came and went and everyone was flying high.

But the vulnerability of a Dallas Stars defense without Miro Heiskanen on the ice started to show. Despite Thomas Harley stepping up huge in his stead, and Esa Lindell doing Esa Lindell things on the PK, the rest of the D-men have been just hanging on for dear life. Add in a suddenly shaky Jake Oettinger, and the vibes are no longer immaculate. The question becomes, can this team finally get over the hump? And can they do it without (or at minimum without 100%) Miro Heiskanen?

That’s the question on David Castillo’s mind over at D Magazine:

On the surface, this potential reality shouldn’t be that alarming. But who’s kidding who? Heiskanen is not just a No. 1 defender. He’s also one of the best defenders in all of hockey and has single-handedly reshaped the Stars into an elite shot-suppression team during his tenure.   

Obviously the defensive numbers drop without your best defenseman on the ice, but just how much?

There’s a simple explanation beyond the fact that Heiskanen is a great player, and great players improve possession. The Stars arguably needed defensive help even before the trade with San Jose that brought Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci. Nill made a gambit by pivoting toward Mikko Rantanen, which we’ll get to. But without Heiskanen, the depth problem becomes even more exposed. Dallas simply doesn’t have the depth to concoct a quality pair. Almost everyone is getting caved in, possession-wise.

Ultimately it comes down to one thing — can the Stars outscore their first playoff opponent while they wait for Heiskanen’s return? Jury’s out on that one.

Read more of David Castillo’s thoughts on the matter over at D Magazine.

Dallas Stars Stuff

ICYMI, Tuesday was the 100th straight sellout at home for the Stars! #TexasHockey is here to stay!

Get one, then!

Nice to see Mikael Granlund on the board not once, but twice against the Ducks.

Logan is/was my son’s favorite player…so it stung quite a bit watching him head off to Carolina. We’re forever in his corner and hoping for a possible reunion someday!

Also caught this one on Youtube a couple days back — fun little behind-the-scenes with Ilya Lyubushkin.

Elsewhere in the Central

Just two games in the whole of the NHL last night, and they both had playoff implications for the Central.

  • First, the Avalanche dropped one to the Leafs (on the back of a really weird goal I included above!) [RECAP]
  • Then the Wild made it a four point night by taking care of the Kraken at home. [RECAP]

Around the World of Hockey…

Here’s tonight’s slate…

Certainly a weird one.

Follow college hockey? Here’s your Hobey Baker Top 10!

Greetings from Scenic Cedar Park and Beautiful Boise!

The baby Stars dropped a tough one last night at home…but they’re back at it tomorrow in Chicago.

The Steelheads, on the other hand, dropped the Allen Americans like a bad habit.

Finally

Noche Mexicana was a hit!

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