3 Dallas Stars bounce-back candidates for 2024-25 NHL season feat. Miro Heiskanen

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Aug 01, 2024 04:02 GMT

The Dallas Stars came within inches of hoisting the Stanley Cup last season, until they fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final. The Oilers eventually lost to the Florida Panthers after seven games.

The Stars could have gotten past the Oilers if some of the club’s key players showed a much stronger performance. With that in mind, here’s a look at three of their players who could have a strong bounce-back year in the coming season.

3 Dallas Stars bounce-back candidates for 2024-25

3. Evgenii Dadonov

Last season, Dadonov had a dismal performance where he played in 51 games that were limited by injuries and inconsistency. He managed 12 goals and 23 points in roughly 13 minutes of ice time per game.

Those numbers were a drop from 2022-23 in which he registered 33 points in 73 games split between the Montreal Canadiens and the Stars. The year before, Dadonov was a 20-goal scorer with the Vegas Golden Knights.

So, is it fair to assume Dadonov could become a 20-goal scorer once again? While that may seem unlikely, if he can stay healthy and consistent, he should play a more significant role in the Stars’ middle six.

2. Jamie Benn

The Dallas Stars captain saw a dip in his numbers after a resurgent 2022-23 campaign where he scored 33 goals and 78 points in all 82 games.

While still registering a 20-goal season, Benn took a step back last year and did not put up the high-level numbers that he has produced throughout his career.

If we can see a healthy Benn having a full season of playing with young stars Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven, that line should prove to be one of the best in the Western Conference. It can give us reason to believe that Benn could still produce another 30-goal performance before he hangs up his skates.

1. Miro Heiskanen

Heiskanen had a career year, by most defensemen’s standards, last season. He scored nine goals and 54 points in 71 games. However, those numbers are below his usual performance.

Heiskanen was slowed down by some injuries that kept him out of the lineup at times. But this coming season, a fully healthy Heiskanen should return to his number-one blueliner form that Dallas fans have grown to know.

It’s fair to assume that Heiskanen can replicate the number he produced in 2022-23 when he registered 11 goals and 73 points. Plus, he will have a full year of Thomas Harley as his defense partner and that situation can bode well for the Stars as they look to get over the hump and make the Stanley Cup Final.