Dallas – The Dallas Stars are confronting a growing defensive dilemma as defenseman Lian Bichsel’s absence is now projected to extend into the coming weeks, rather than ending after a brief emergency stint. Coach Glen Gulutzan must shift from plugging short‑term holes to establishing a sustainable rotation that can be used repeatedly over the next stretch of games.
Injury updates and upcoming schedule
In addition to Bichsel, star defenseman Miro Heiskanen remains out for Saturday’s home game against the Buffalo Sabres, with his availability for Sunday’s matchup against the Florida Panthers still uncertain. The Stars’ schedule then heads to Las Vegas for back‑to‑back road games on Tuesday and Thursday. Gulutzan needs a defensive arrangement that can be re‑used, not a one‑off fix.
Recent performance highlights the strain
Thursday’s 8‑3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets offered a stark preview of the workload on the remaining defensemen. Thomas Harley logged 26:27 of ice time, Esa Lindell 24:27, Nils Lundkvist 24:19 and Tyler Myers 21:14. Trey Taylor added 18:17 after entering the lineup because of Heiskanen’s injury. While these minutes do not prove fatigue, they illustrate the heavy responsibility already shouldered by the group before Bichsel’s longer‑term loss was confirmed.
The game itself resisted a simple injury explanation. Dallas built a 3‑2 lead in the second period after a David Perron goal, but Winnipeg rallied to score the final six goals. The Stars outshot the Jets 33‑30, and both Harley and Lundkvist recorded two assists, showing that defensive contributions can still be productive even when the team loses control of the game.
Bichsel’s role and the need for depth
Bichsel played only 1:14 across two shifts on Thursday, so attributing the entire collapse to his departure would be inaccurate. Nevertheless, his absence removes a viable option from the depth chart, forcing Gulutzan to rely more heavily on the remaining roster.
Gulutzan’s immediate plan involves recalling Kyle Burroughs from the AHL Texas Stars and pairing him with Trey Taylor, who previously partnered with Burroughs in Texas. Familiarity offers a sensible starting point for a player who may be called up on short notice, but Burroughs is not a direct replacement for Heiskanen, nor does his presence guarantee a final Saturday lineup.
Heiskanen’s workload underscores the challenge
Heiskanen has averaged 24:53 of ice time over 15 games, contributing three goals and eight assists. His substantial assignment cannot be replicated by a single transaction. The Stars will need several defenders to absorb portions of his minutes while preserving the offensive output from those already carrying heavy loads.
Looking ahead: a repeatable rotation
The upcoming two‑game home stretch followed by the Vegas trip makes a repeatable defensive rotation more attractive than expecting heroic minutes from a few players. A useful recalled defenseman can give the coaching staff another reliable option, even if he never approaches Heiskanen’s average workload. The alternative would be to continue concentrating the work among the remaining regulars, which risks fatigue and diminished performance.
Gulutzan’s approach reflects a pragmatic response to the Stars’ injury situation: build depth, maintain flexibility, and protect the team’s defensive floor while still allowing the offense to thrive. As the schedule progresses, fans can expect the Stars to rely on a broader group of players to keep the team competitive.
Original reporting: DenisonWeekly.news — read the source article.
