Heiskanen was one of six Stars players added to COVID-19 protocol on Sunday and two more were added on Monday. As of right now, they are scheduled to play three games this week, starting on Wednesday but it seems likely that they are going to be postponed.
Heiskanen is now dealing with the non-COVID illness that has been bouncing around the Stars locker room. He did not travel to St. Louis, so he'll be replaced by either Thomas Harley or Joel Hanley.
After three years in the NHL, Heiskanen ranks 33rd among blueliners with 95 points (28G / 67A) in 205 games. His raise will make him the sixth-highest paid defenseman (as of now) in 2021-22 with an $8.45M AAV cap-hit. Heiskanen is an absolute workhorse for the Stars, ranking ninth in the NHL in TOI/gm (24:58) last season.
Heiskanen was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday but could play Thursday in Detroit. Heiskanen is officially listed as a game-time decision, so monitor his status as the Stars hit the ice for warmups at 7:00 PM ET.
Heiskanen was forced to leave Thursday's game vs. the Sabres with an "upper-body injury" that he suffered when he was kneed in the head. Heiskanen is in concussion protocol, so he'll be replaced by Stephen Johns on Saturday.
Heiskanen is a smooth skating two-way defenseman, who recorded 10 points (5G / 5A) in 37 games with HIFK Helsinki in Finland’s top league. Heiskanen was one of, if not the best defenseman at the U18 World Championship this spring.
