Rookie watch: Heiskanen enjoying transition to NHL with Stars

Miro Heiskanen is receiving high praise and positive reviews as an NHL rookie with the Dallas Stars following one of the busiest seasons of his hockey career.

In addition to starring for Finland at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2018 IIHF World Championship, Heiskanen won the Pekka Rautakallio Award as the best defenseman in Finland's top league after scoring 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) while averaging 25:06 of ice time in 30 regular-season games for HIFK in Liiga.
"I think all that hockey last year helped me for this season," Heiskanen said. "Playing in those big games on different teams and having the chance to play for the Finland National Team was great."
Marc Methot, who has been paired with Heiskanen on several occasions this season, is privy to skating alongside star-caliber defensemen. He once partnered with two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson as a member of the Ottawa Senators.

"From what I'm seeing right now, [Heiskanen] is going to be a superstar in this league," Methot said. "Obviously, it's a matter of time, and that's my humble opinion, but I think Miro is one of those guys who will emerge because he's just such a smooth skater, skilled and confident beyond his years.
"It's going to be fun to watch over the next couple of seasons because there are some similarities to Karlsson's game with regard to his intelligence and poise with the puck."
Heiskanen is averaging 21:18 of ice time and the Stars control 51.05 (SAT%) of all shots attempted when he's on the ice. He has three points (one goal, two assists) and ranks second among Stars defensemen in shots on goal (23).
He became the second-youngest defenseman (19 years, 99 days) to score a goal in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history in a 5-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 25. Ron Meighan (Minnesota; 18 years, 207 days) is the youngest.
"Eventually he's going to be a 40-point guy in this league and I think that's a minimum," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "He's going to be a guy who also plays 28 minutes a night and matches against other team's top lines once he develops some man-strength."

Heiskanen said his priority right now is becoming a stronger player.
"Skating is my biggest asset, but I know I need to get stronger," he said. "Those battles in front of the net and in the corners ... it's tough. But I feel I'm getting better and better all the time."
Stars general manager Jim Nill said veterans like Methot and Connor Carrick, and fellow countryman Esa Lindell, have been positive influences on Heiskanen.
"Methot played with Karlsson going back, so he's used to playing with those type players and it's important to have a veteran that can tell him what to look for in situations," Nill said. "Miro is a very deceptive skater. He's got a great glide to him and a real calmness. He's not going to 'Wow' you, but if you sit and watch him, you're going to appreciate what he does because he just makes all the right plays and never seems to be under pressure."
Heiskanen, selected by Dallas with the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, said he hasn't been too surprised with the transition to the NHL.
"It's pretty much what I expected," he said. "It's really fun to play here. I really like it a lot, the games are good and fast. I like the challenge."
Heiskanen tied for the playoff scoring lead among defensemen in Liiga with nine points (three goals, six assists) in 14 games for HIFK last season. He led all skaters in average ice time (26:16).
"He's what we expected, and probably a little more," Nill said. "We've watched him over the last couple of years, saw what he did last season in the Olympics and the World Championship. There's a lot there, but we have to be respectful of his age, too, because he's still only 19. But he's come over and seems in control."
Heiskanen arrived in Dallas in August to become acclimated to the area before the start of training camp.
"We thought he would need time to get all settled in; we forget sometimes we have to get other things in order, like the social security number, a car, an apartment, a bank account," Nill said. "He came over and in about three days, everything was done, but that's just how he is.
"How Miro is off the ice, is how he is on the ice. He's calm, smart and very engaging. Some kids just kind of have everything together, have their life in order ... that's Miro."