"I think so," the 19-year-old defenseman prospect told Stars Inside Edge. "I had a really good summer. I think I am ready."
Heiskanen, the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, reportedly was part of trade talks regarding Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson this offseason. Dallas' reluctance to trade him reportedly was part of the reason a deal was not made.
"We expect him to be an important part of our team," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "We expect to bring him along slowly, allowing him to play and play the way he needs to play in order to have success because, ultimately, that is going to make the Dallas Stars better. So we are going to live with mistakes, and he is going to get thrown back out there. We're going to try to make sure he is put in situations to have success early, and as he shows the ability to have success, we're going to give him more and more."
Heiskanen had 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 30 games for HIFK last season and was named the best defenseman in Liiga, the top league in Finland. He also played for Finland at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, the 2018 IIHF World Championship and the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
He is the Stars' No. 1 prospect, according to NHL.com.
"From what we've seen, his play in the Olympics and being one of the top defensemen in Europe, playing in the World Championship, he's shown he can play at this level," Dallas general manager Jim Nill said.
Montgomery said the plan is to pair Heiskanen with a veteran defenseman, either Stephen Johns or Marc Methot. Heiskanen started skating at the Stars practice rink this week.
"I've always been dreaming of playing in the NHL," he said. "Now, it can be possible."
