Heika: Miro mania? Touted rookie puts on another clinic in Stars' win

ST. PAUL, Minn. --Shout "Hey" for Heiskanen.
He's a Miro-cle.
Vote 4 for Calder.
The buzz for Miro Heiskanen is starting to ramp up like a political campaign, as the 19-year-old defenseman has been very noticeable in his first two preseason games for the Stars. Heiskanen scored his first goal in the NHL (preseason) Thursday on a one-timer from the right point that deflected off of a Minnesota player and through a Denis Gurianov screen to start the scoring for Dallas in an eventual 3-1 win.

It was the kind of quick release we've heard about from Heiskanen -- and also a sign that he can be a versatile part of the Stars' attack.
The left-handed Heiskanen was playing the right side on a pairing with Marc Methot. If Heiskanen, who played a lot of the right side in Finland last season, can play both sides, it allows coach Jim Montgomery the opportunity to move his defensemen around. With Dan Hamhuis and Greg Pateryn (now with Minnesota) departing in the offseason, the Stars could need some time before they find the right defensive pairings.
WATCH: [All Stars vs. Wild highlights]
Stephen Johns has played both sides, and if Heiskanen can do the same, then the options open up.
And the fact a rookie could lead the way is certainly worth talking about.

"He seems to have [the ability to play both sides] because he makes the game look easy," Montgomery said. "His brain is two steps ahead of everybody else."
Heiskanen has a high pedigree. He was taken third overall in 2017 -- the highest draft pick for the Stars organization since Mike Modano was taken first overall in 1988. He was named outstanding defenseman in the Finnish Elite League last season and played for Finland in the World Junior Championship, Olympics and World Championships.
So the hype is high coming in.
"He's great," said Methot, who assisted on the goal. "He's silky smooth and at his age with the confidence he has."

Heiskanen still is learning the NHL game, so the fact he is munching through challenges on a daily basis is another positive. He played 23:23, had a goal and was plus-1 against the Wild. And the switch from the left side to the right isn't near as easy as Heiskanen made it look, Methot said.
"It's absolutely a challenge, and because he's such a skilled player, it's a credit to him," the left-handed Methot said. "I played on the right a lot when I was in Columbus years ago, and I'm not really comfortable there anymore. But Miro seamlessly moved over to the right side."
Something he might be doing a lot more.
"He's a good hockey player," Montgomery said. "It was good to see he can play the off side, because there are going to be times he might need to."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

1. Khudobin looks good in first appearance

The Stars had a tough decision in the summer as they needed to find a replacement for back-up goalie Kari Lehtonen. Among the players who were potentially available were Cam Ward, Carter Hutton and Petr Mrazek. Khudobin had a solid year with Boston, going 16-6-7 while helping fill in for an injured Tuukka Rask, so he was the choice.
That ability to step up in pressure situations was key to what the Stars were seeking when they signed him to a two-year deal at $1.5 million per season.
"We love his personality and his composure," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "He's going to be a big part of this team on and off the ice."
Khudobin had 14 saves on 14 shots Thursday in his first preseason game with the Stars.
"It is first step as a Star and it feels great," he said. "I felt my game and felt pucks, and we got a win, so it was good."

2. Point gets first NHL preseason experience

Colton Point came out of Colgate this summer and has been slowly taking the first steps of his NHL career. The 20-year-old goalie who was taken in the fifth round in 2016, stopped 12 of 13 shots and took the win Thursday against Minnesota.
"It's an unbelievable feeling that we won. I'm super happy with that," he said.
Point played in the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, has worked his way through training camp, and now has a preseason game under his belt. He's battling for a spot in the AHL and is off to a good start.
"It's a long road, but it's exciting to experience all of this for the first time," Point said. "I'm just enjoying the process right now

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3. Good start … but preseason just getting started

Using a younger lineup, the Stars had a better performance than they did with veterans in the first preseason game. The key is with time, the entire team seems to be getting more comfortable with the style of play Montgomery is seeking.
"Our details were really good and our effort was really good," Montgomery said of the Stars pushing their preseason record to 2-0. "That's what we're looking to see -- to see improvement in our team game."
Methot said the team definitely has earned the right to be cautiously optimistic.
"If there's one thing I've learned it's you can't get too high on yourself over a preseason win," Methot said. "But there are a lot of positives. I think this new system is working really well for us. We're adapting very well to it.
"You've got to take a positive when you get it."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.