Stars cut veteran defensemen, this will give Lian Bichsel a massive opportunity
Photo credit: Blackout Dallas
With veteran departures, Dallas Stars open the door for Lian Bichsel's breakout
It's not every summer that a team makes room for a young player by moving on from multiple veterans, but the Dallas Stars have done exactly that.
With Cody Ceci, Mathew Dumba, and Brendan Smith no longer on the roster, the team's blue line is ready for a new face to take charge.
That face just happens to belong to 6-foot-7 Swiss defender Lian Bichsel, and the timing couldn't be better.
Bichsel, just 21 years old, is coming off his rookie season, where he quickly made a name for himself with his punishing physical game. In 38 NHL games last year, he racked up 155 hits, the highest on the Stars, and blocked 23 shots.
His pace of 16.4 hits per 60 minutes wasn't just impressive-it topped the entire NHL among regular skaters, leaving a huge gap between him and the next player on the list.
Lian Bichsel could be a game-changer for the Dallas Stars blue line
Bichsel's impact didn't fade when the games mattered most. During the Stars' playoff run, he appeared in 18 games, adding 75 hits and showing poise far beyond his experience level.
He isn't only about size and strength, though. His three years in the Swedish Hockey League before crossing to North America gave him a polished defensive style.
That background, combined with his physical edge, could make him a nightmare for opposing forwards.
This season, he's expected to compete for a spot alongside Alexander Petrovic on the third pairing. The duo has shared ice time in the AHL and could form a reliable, no-nonsense defensive unit.
I think this could be one of the Stars' under-the-radar strengths heading into 2025-26.
Around the league, similar opportunities are popping up for other players. Brett Murray, after six years with the Buffalo Sabres organization, is moving on following a 27-goal AHL season.
The Edmonton Oilers' affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, also strengthened their roster with several new signings, including defensemen Luke Prokop and Mats Lindgren.
But in Dallas, all eyes will be on Bichsel. His combination of size, skill, and fearlessness could be exactly what the Stars need to take another step toward the Stanley Cup.
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