The Dallas Stars made an offseason splash on Thursday morning by signing 24-year-old defenseman Esa Lindell to a six-year $34.8 million contract extension (AAV $5.8 million).
Esa Lindell was set to be a restricted free-agent on July 1st after a spectacular 2018-19 campaign for the Dallas Stars. That changed on Thursday morning. Now, Lindell is signed through the 2024-25 season.
Lindell played in all 82 regular-season games, registering a career high 32 points (11 goals – 21 assists). Lindell led the Stars in blocked shots during the regular-season with 161 blocked shots.
In his first ever Stanley Cup Playoffs, Lindell had 4 points (1 goal – 3 assists) and led the Stars in ice-time, averaging 26:58 per game in 13 games played.
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Stars GM Jim Nill praised Lindell during the announcement saying, “Esa is a consummate professional who has proven himself dependable in every situation and is just an absolute workhorse. When you combine his strength, conditioning, hockey IQ and skill, he has become an integral part of this team.”
Jim Nill focused on how important the defensive core is for the Stars saying, “Along with John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen, the three make up the foundation of a blueline that will not only be a strength for our club, but one that will be as good as any in the NHL for the foreseeable future.”
In his 239 career NHL games, Lindell is +38 with 77 points (24 goals – 53 assists), and averages 22:39 per game. The Finnish defenseman was drafted in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars during the 3rd round (74th overall pick).
The Dallas Stars have checked one name off of their offseason to-do list.
June 25th is the deadline for qualifying offers to players that are restricted free agents. Some notable Dallas Stars RFA’s include Mattias Janmark, Jason Dickinson, Brett Ritchie, and Julius Honka.
Dallas is also left with the challenge of re-signing or not re-signing some notable unrestricted free agents, including notable veterans Mats Zuccarello, Jason Spezza, Marc Methot, Ben Lovejoy, and Roman Polak.