Huge injury update on Miro Heiskanen following knee surgery

Miro Heiskanen says his knee is back to 100 percent just in time for Dallas Stars training camp, and if that holds true, it could change everything for this team's season.

The 26-year-old defenseman missed a big chunk of last year with a knee injury.

It was a frustrating setback for one of the league's most reliable two-way blueliners, especially given how heavily the Dallas Stars rely on him in all situations.

Now, with camp just around the corner, Heiskanen is sending a clear message: he's ready to go.

"My confidence is back where it used to be now that my knee can take all the practice and feels fine,"

For fans who watched the Stars fall short in the second round last spring, that's exactly the kind of news they've been waiting for.

Heiskanen returned late in the playoffs, logging 21:49 per game over eight matchups. He wasn't at full strength but still managed to put up four points.

Why Miro Heiskanen's full return could shift the Dallas Stars' Stanley Cup chances

In the two seasons before his injury, Heiskanen had nearly averaged a point per game.

He also earned back-to-back top-10 Norris Trophy finishes and played with a mix of speed, vision, and control that made him one of the best in the league.

If he's truly healthy, the Stars' top defensive trio, Heiskanen, Thomas Harley, and Esa Lindell, becomes even more dangerous.

The team didn't make major offseason moves on the blue line, partly due to cap space. That puts even more pressure on Heiskanen to carry a heavy load.

I believe if he plays at his usual level, this could be the year Dallas finally breaks through.

"We've come close, but now it's time to take the next step," he said.

The Stars have been to three straight Western Conference Finals. What they need now is finish.

And for that, they need their star defender healthy and dominant.