Game Day Guide: Stars vs Maple Leafs

First transformation 🏒

It's been just three games for the rookie defenseman Leanne PixelAnd things are looking very good.

But coach Pete DeBoer knows you have to take these things one step at a time.

Bichsel is a 20-year-old first-round pick who has logged just 37 career games in the AHL. After an upper body injury Dumba died As the flu virus spread among the team, Bichsel was called up and included in the lineup. Three games into his NHL career, he has two goals, 12 hits, and is a plus-2 while averaging 15:27 of time on ice.

“He played really well,” DeBoer said. “When you're young and you're in a situation like that, you don't have to score every night. I mean he did, but you have to make an impression and get the coach's trust.

However, DeBoer has been through this on countless occasions and said you have to go through the process.

“It's a week-to-week question with a young man,” DeBoer said. “Can he keep his confidence, can he continue to play well? Some players show up in this state and never play another game in the minors. Some players play and then they stumble and then they need to reset. I don't know the answer to that.”

Pix understands. The 18th overall pick in 2022 has already endured a lot of confusion in the early part of his career. He played mostly in Sweden before coming over at the start of last season and played 16 games in the AHL. He returned to Sweden to play with a different team before returning for the 2024 AHL season. Meanwhile, he had participated in training camps, the Traverse City Prospects tournament, and NHL preseason games, so he had an idea. Coaches are also becoming more familiar with it.

“He was knocking on the door in training camp, went to Austin, handled it the right way, and waited for the opportunity,” DeBoer said.

both of them Thomas Harley and Nils Lundqvist They suffer from the flu on a daily basis and could return for Wednesday's game. However, veteran Brendan Smith He could be scratched to keep Bixel in the lineup, so opportunities will likely exist during Dumba's absence.

Pixel said he enjoys challenges.

“It's not easy to jump around here to adapt to the league, but I think I'm doing a good job of keeping things simple and helping the team,” he said.

He also added that veterans help him.

“It's great,” he said in a cheering locker room after Monday's 3-1 win over Washington. “The guys are giving me a good time. It was a big win for the guys so some laughter is allowed.

Listed at 6-7, 231, Bichsel has already thrown his weight around. He hit some big hits and showed a lot of confidence in his game. However, he also committed fouls and missed defensive coverage, which is to be expected for a rookie.

“I feel like his style of play was really strong and he learns from his mistakes,” De Boer said. “That's the main thing with young people.”

And Pixel knows what's at stake every time he's on the ice.

“I'm fighting for a job here,” he said when asked about the decision to keep him in the NHL or bring him back. “I do my best to make their decision difficult.”