Stars Defenseman Extended, But Not the One You Might Expect
One of the Dallas Stars best defenders received a five year extension Tuesday.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images - Stars Defenseman Extended, But Not the One You Might ExpectWhile recent focus has been almost entirely on getting a new contract for Thomas Harley, General Manager Jim Nill and the Stars handed out a five year, $5.25 million extension to fellow defender Esa Lindell.
Lindell was set to begin the season in the final year of his previous six year contract, becoming an unrestricted free agent next off-season. The 30-year-old defender has blossomed into the most steady defensive presence for the Stars and the league's most utilized penalty killer over the span of those six years. At $5.8 million per year previously, Lindell will take just shy of a $600,000 pay cut to remain with the team on a long term deal that will take him up to his 35-year-old season.
While many blueliners have come and gone for the Stars in recent years, Lindell has remained a stalwart in the starting lineup, first partnering almost exclusively with an offensive-minded player in John Klingberg, and most recently pairing with Chris Tanev to create a shutdown duo that could suffocate the league's best players throughout the playoffs.
Last season, Lindell ranked first among Stars defensemen with 162 blocked shots, as well as posting 26 points while playing over 20 minutes per game. In the playoffs, his time on ice rose to over 24 minutes per game, and he scored three goals throughout the postseason run to the Western Conference Final.
“Esa is a stalwart presence on our blueline and has become a player that can be trusted in all situations,” Nill said in a press release. “He is a proven penalty killer who logs some of the toughest minutes and defensive assignments. We are excited to have him locked in as part of our defensive core for an additional five seasons.”
With the departure of Tanev to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lindell will once again be asked to switch defense partners for the upcoming season. Right-hander Matt Dumba seems to be a likely candidate for the second pairing with Lindell, but with several new additions and training camp still ahead, that could certainly change. Lindell has the ability to boost the play of any defenseman who needs a little help in shutting things down in the defensive zone, and can unlock the confidence needed for a defender to step up on offense. He is an invaluable asset to Dallas, and the Stars felt the need to lock him in for five more years before any speculation arose about his future.
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