The Dallas Stars are facing another hit on the back end after Lian Bichsel left Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets with a lower-body injury.
The sequence was ugly enough in real time. Bichsel collided with Stars defenseman Esa Lindell and Jets forward Mark Scheifele, and all three players went down. Bichsel was the one who couldn’t get himself going afterward, unable to put weight on his left leg before needing help off the ice.
Head coach Glen Gulutzan told the media, including NHL.com’s Robert Tiffin, that Bichsel is likely to miss both games this weekend as Dallas waits on more information. That puts his status for next week’s two-game road trip to the Vegas Golden Knights in doubt as well. If he doesn’t make that trip, Dallas returns from Vegas next Sunday, which could become the next target for his comeback.
For the Stars, this is a frustrating development on a blue line already missing top defender Miro Heiskanen. Bichsel’s injury means someone has to be brought up to help cover the gap, and Dallas has a few directions it can go.
The organization could turn to its young depth, with Tristan Bertucci and Jack Anderson standing out as left-side options in the AHL. Another possibility is rookie Trey Taylor, who is already in the mix and could see his minutes climb with Bichsel out. Taylor has not scored in his first four NHL games.
If Dallas wants a more experienced answer, Kyle Burroughs would be the veteran name to watch. The right-shot defender has 201 NHL games on his résumé, along with 22 points and 216 penalty minutes over an 11-year pro career.
Bichsel’s season has been a low-profile one so far. In 17 games, he has one point, 16 penalty minutes and 39 hits. The injury also brings back an uncomfortable theme for the 22-year-old, who missed 32 games last season with another lower-body injury.
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