Scott Wheeler comes clean: he was wrong about this Stars defenseman
Photo credit: Dallas Sports nation
The Dallas Stars may have found a future defensive cornerstone as Lian Bichsel continues to prove doubters wrong, earning praise from Scott Wheeler and reshaping expectations for the team's blue line.
The Dallas Stars may have landed a future cornerstone on defense, and his name is Lian Bichsel.
When Dallas used the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft on the towering Swiss defenseman, many analysts questioned whether his game would catch up to his size. At 6′7″, he had the physical tools, but skating, decision-making, and offensive instincts were all seen as raw.
Now, heading into the 2025-26 season, Bichsel has flipped that narrative. He's no longer just a «project,» but a serious candidate to claim NHL minutes, and even his toughest critics are admitting they were wrong.
Lian Bichsel's growth is reshaping expectations for the Dallas Stars blue line
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic recently included Bichsel in his annual «Prospects I Was Wrong About» feature, explaining that the Swiss defender has earned far more credit than he gave him initially.
Wheeler admitted Bichsel became
«a prospect I was too low on»
as the big blueliner showcased a rare mix of skating ability, reach, and poise. You can read Wheeler's full comments in this post from The Athletic's NHL feed.What sets Bichsel apart is that his game isn't limited by size. His mobility has improved dramatically, and his physical edge makes him a natural fit against heavy competition.
As The Hockey Writers observed,
«Bichsel is physical and mean a solid complementary guy you're comfortable playing on your second pairing.»
This development path has also reinforced confidence in Dallas's player development system. Personally, I think his progress shows how the Stars consistently build defensive depth the right way, turning skepticism into long-term strength.
Looking ahead, I really Bichsel will get the chance to compete for a full-time NHL role this fall.
With his size, reach, and improving skating, he has the tools to become one of Dallas's most dependable young defenders, and possibly a foundational piece of the Stars' blue line for years to come.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 30 | 28 ANSWERS Scott Wheeler comes clean: he was wrong about this Stars defenseman Do you think Lian Bichsel will become a top-four defenseman for the Dallas Stars in the next two years? | ||
| Yes | 26 | 92.9 % |
| No | 2 | 7.1 % |
| List of polls | ||