It's time for Lian Bichsel to get a place in Dallas

Some thoughts on the Stars big defender, who, in my view, is part of the solution now and this coming spring.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Lian Bichsel has always had a bit of that “F you” attitude.

Bichsel will do things his way and on his terms, it’s why he’s taken the unique development path the through both the AHL and SHL last season, against the initial wishes of the Dallas Stars.

He’s currently banned by the Swiss national team until 2026, a punishment levied for turning down a World Junior camp invite, and in a first-round pick world typically run by larger agencies, Bichsel is the only NHL client for a boutique Swiss agency that isn’t afraid to clash with Stars management.

Everything about Bichsel’s demeanor comes with rough edges if taken the wrong way, and in a sport where falling in line is the norm, the 20-year-old doesn’t really care.

As he told me for a feature in D Magazine back in September, “it’s OK that outside people don’t understand. I saw the comments or whatever, but I’m staying focused on my hockey. I don’t really care what other people think.”

Whether he cares what I think or not, Bichsel has proven, in my view, that he’s won an NHL job with his play over the past three games.