Lian Bichsel poised for bigger role as Dallas Stars lean on youth to replace departed veterans

When an NHL team parts ways with multiple veterans in one offseason, it often signals an opportunity for the next wave of talent. That's exactly the case in Dallas, where the departures of Cody Ceci, Mathew Dumba, and Brendan Smith have opened the door for 21-year-old defenseman Lian Bichsel.

The 6-foot-7 Swiss blueliner made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 38 regular-season games. He scored four goals, added five assists, and quickly became known for his bruising physical style.

His impact was immediate, Bichsel recorded 155 hits, which worked out to an impressive 16.4 per 60 minutes, the highest rate on the team.

In the playoffs, he carried that same edge. Across 18 postseason games, he threw 75 more hits while facing some of the league's toughest forwards. «It taught me a lot about the pace, the pressure, and the little details you need to survive at this level,» Bichsel told NHL.com.

Bichsel's journey to the NHL started in the Swedish Hockey League, followed by a developmental stint with the Texas Stars in the AHL. That foundation gave him the tools to adapt quickly once he earned his shot in Dallas.

This season, he is projected to anchor the third pairing, with potential partners including Alexander Petrovic, Nils Lundkvist, or Ilya Lyubushkin. His ability to adapt to different defensive pairings will be one of the key factors in his sophomore campaign.

As Daily Faceoff highlighted, his size and physicality could become an even greater asset as Dallas looks to add grit to its game.

I believe this year could be the turning point where Bichsel cements himself as more than a promising prospect.

With his combination of size, toughness, and growing experience, he has the potential to become an everyday difference-maker on the Dallas Stars blue line.