Stars' Miro Heiskanen leaves Wild clash with concerning injury

Dallas defenseman exits game with lower-body issue, raising playoff concerns

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:38am

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A cubist, geometric painting showing a hockey player being checked into the boards, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and gray conveying the violent impact of the collision.A fractured, cubist depiction of a hockey player colliding with the boards, reflecting the jarring nature of the injury suffered by the Dallas Stars' star defenseman.Dallas Today

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen left Thursday's game against the Minnesota Wild with a lower-body injury after colliding with Wild forward Ryan Hartman. Heiskanen did not return to the game, and the team said they will learn more about the severity of the injury on Friday. The Stars are in a strong position to make the playoffs, but losing Heiskanen, their top defenseman, would be a major blow to their Stanley Cup hopes.

Why it matters

Miro Heiskanen is a key player for the Stars, leading the team in assists and playing crucial minutes on both ends of the ice. An injury to him this late in the season could significantly impact Dallas' chances of making a deep playoff run, especially after he missed time in last year's playoffs due to a knee injury.

The details

Heiskanen was injured in the first period when he was hit into the boards by Wild forward Ryan Hartman. Video replays showed Hartman's stick getting behind Heiskanen's legs as he drove through him, causing Heiskanen's right leg to bend awkwardly as he went down. Heiskanen immediately left the game and did not return.

  • The incident occurred near the end of the first period on April 10, 2026.
  • Head coach Glen Gulutzan said they will learn more about Heiskanen's status on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Miro Heiskanen

A 6-foot-2 defenseman for the Dallas Stars who leads the team in assists and is a key part of their playoff hopes.

Ryan Hartman

A forward for the Minnesota Wild who collided with Heiskanen, causing the Stars defenseman's injury.

Glen Gulutzan

The head coach of the Dallas Stars who provided an update on Heiskanen's status.

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What they’re saying

“'No update on Miro Heiskanen,' Lia Assimakopoulos of Dallas Morning News reported on X. '{Head coach} Glen Gulutzan says they'll learn more tomorrow, but he doesn't think Miro will play Saturday.'”

— Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News reporter

What’s next

The Stars will provide an update on Miro Heiskanen's status on Friday, April 11, 2026. If the injury is serious, it could jeopardize his availability for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The takeaway

Miro Heiskanen's injury is a major concern for the Dallas Stars as they prepare for the playoffs. The young defenseman is a crucial part of their team, and his absence could significantly impact their chances of making a deep postseason run. The Stars will need to hope for good news on the severity of the injury in order to keep their Stanley Cup aspirations alive.