Lindell signs 5-year, $26.25 million contract with Stars
Lindell signs 5-year, $26.25 million contract with Stars
Defenseman entering final season of current deal could have become unrestricted free agent
© Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images
Esa Lindell signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract with the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $5.25 million.
The 30-year-old defenseman is entering the final season of a six-year, $34.8 million contract he signed with the Stars on May 16, 2019, and could have become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Lindell had 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) and was plus-17 playing in all 82 regular-season games for the Stars last season. He was third on the team in ice time per game (20:28), behind Thomas Harley (21:01) and Miro Heiskanen (24:32), and led the Stars in blocked shots (162). He ranked second in the NHL in short-handed ice time per game (3:32) behind Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild (3:46).
“Esa is a stalwart presence on our blueline and has become a player that can be trusted in all situations,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “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.”
Lindell had five points (three goals, two assists) in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season to help Dallas advance to the Western Conference Final for the second straight season.
Selected by Dallas in the third round (No. 74) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Lindell has 191 points (49 goals, 142 assists) in 604 regular-season games, and 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 85 playoff games.
Lindell along with Stars teammate Heiskanen were among the first six players named to the Finland team for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 12-20 at TD Garden in Boston and Bell Centre in Montreal.
The Stars open the regular season at the Nashville Predators on Oct. 10.
