BigG44
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- Jul 12, 2007
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With the 3rd Overall Pick, The Dallas Stars Draft Miro Heiskanen
Elite Prospects
An elite two-way defenceman in the making, Miro Heiskanen has a toolbox bursting at the seams. Very smooth skater whose general agility and athleticism is excellent and on display every shift. A confident puck mover with no issues running a play himself and starting a transition up-ice. Solid creativity and impressive puck skills. Always makes the high percentage play and doesn't put teammates in dangerous or vulnerable positions. Willingness to play a physical game is not an issue, as he is often seen throwing the body. Defensively very diligent and proactive, keeping the opposition to the outside and cutting off open and common lanes. [EP 2017]
Sean Shapiro
If any player is going to oust Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier from the top two it’s Finnish defender Miro Heiskanen. Heiskanen played a full season in the top Finnish league before he turned 18 and has the complete toolbox to be a top-pairing NHL defensemen. Heiskanen is a possession-driving puck mover and a shutdown defender in one, and he proved that both against grown men in Finland and against his peers at the under-18 world championships. Heiskanen makes the smart decisions with the puck whether it’s leading a breakout with a pass or carrying it through the neutral zone. In the offensive zone Heiskanen does a great job walking the blue line and consistently gets shots through traffic — he’s going to be a key weapon on the power play. The ease in which Heiskanen plays the game is very encouraging and he could be a nice piece of the Stars defense core on the left side.
ISS
Go-to guy on the back end. Rising up the rankings – has added size since start of the season. Mobile with good vision and rarely panics or turns the puck over. Always under control and made very few mistakes. He has all the tools to be an effective two-way defender in the NHL.
The Hockey News
“So smooth. Has ability as a two-way defender and to play under duress. The game is only getting faster, and he’s smart enough to keep the flow going.” – NHL Scout
Corey Pronman
His hockey sense is so good that he dictates the play due to how effectively he moves the puck. He makes great decisions, understands how to create chances while keeping his plays simple, and overall shows no issues playing at a pro pace. His mobility is pretty good, too, as he can get up into the rush well and close his gaps efficiently.
Jeff Marek
All around we feel Heiskanen is the best defenceman in the draft. Has an ease about him in all situations and never seems to panic.
Dobber Prospects
March 2017 – Heiskanen is elite skating defenceman with plenty of speed and mobility. Already playing against men in Liiga he is an excellent puck mover and transition defenceman. His offensive ceiling is not too high and he may never quarterback the powerplay but he has good hockey sense, is ahead of his years in his defensive play. Heiskanen needs to add some bulk to his slight frame to be effective in North America but he is already proven at the pro level and may have a shorter path to the NHL than some other draft eligible defencemen. Peter Harling
The Draft Analyst
You can make a strong case for Heiskanen being the draft-eligible defenseman with the shortest path to the NHL, especially when you consider the big minutes he logged for IFK in the Finnish Liiga. He’s a cerebral puck mover with above-average speed who is rarely caught out of position, and he accumulates shots and chances by aggressively dropping down well below the dots. Heiskanen is a very good outlet passer and plays with poise, but his impeccable positioning, especially on the penalty kill, is just one of the many reasons why he was entrusted with critical situations despite being one of the youngest players in Finland’s top league. Both his wrister and slap shot are hard and accurate, and he comes across as the kind of defender who will look to pick a corner or go five hole rather than blast the puck and pray, especially as he moves closer to the net. Heiskanen is strong with his footwork — cutbacks, pivots, edges, etc. — and he is capable of outskating a backchecker as he joins a rush. His speed isn’t as blinding as Cale Makar’s, or graceful like fellow countryman Urho Vaakanainen, but skating is certainly an asset. Strong enough to win most of his one-on-one battles, Heiskanen will finish checks or use developing upper-body strength to pin and hold long enough for support to arrive. He may not have franchise-carrying potential, but Heiskanen would be an excellent top-pairing option or No. 3 to anchor a reliable minute-eating duo.
Future Considerations
A two-way rearguard that plays with strong mobility, speed and awareness…possesses excellent lateral agility and straight ahead speed…starts and stops very quickly and possesses a very smooth overall stride…carries the puck confidently up the ice and into the offensive zone…has impressive vision…makes very good passes, finding his teammates quickly and without hesitation in all three zones…takes quick, accurate wrist shots from the point…good foot speed enables him to keep gaps close….not afraid to use his body to separate the puck from an opponent or rub out an attacker along the wall… keeps his man to the outside…struggles with a lack of strength…displays pretty strong awareness defensively making quick stick checks to interrupt plays and then quickly turning the play back up ice…a minute muncher who shows high level intelligence and decision making…a potential top four blueliner displaying high end poise, puck skills and skating ability. (November 2016)
[NHL2]c-52296003[/NHL2]
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