Stars sign Lindell to 5-year, $26.25M extension
One of the Dallas Stars' longest-tenured players isn't going anywhere.
The club signed veteran defenseman Esa Lindell to a five-year extension with an average annual value of $5.25 million, the team announced Tuesday.
Lindell is entering the final year of his previous contract, which pays him $5.8 million. He could've tested unrestricted free agency in 2025. The new extension begins next season.
The 30-year-old is set to begin his 10th campaign with the Stars - only captain Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have been with the team longer.
"Esa is a stalwart presence on our blue line and has become a player that can be trusted in all situations," said Stars general manager Jim Nill. "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 tallied 26 points in 82 games last season, averaging 20:28 per contest. He's averaged at least 19:55 in eight straight years.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder isn't known for his offensive abilities, but he continues to be one of the game's better shutdown blue-liners.
Esa Lindell, signed 5x$5.25M by DAL, is a veteran defensive defenceman who can pretty much always be relied upon to play sound, disciplined defensive hockey in tough deployment but pushed play in the right direction offensively too last year with terrific transition passing. pic.twitter.com/hDVwu6NUJg
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) September 17, 2024
Lindell primarily played with Jani Hakanpaa at five-on-five over the last two seasons and spent the majority of the 2024 playoffs with Chris Tanev - both of whom now play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. While it remains to be seen how the defense pairings shake out, Lindell is most likely to begin the season alongside one of two newcomers - Ilya Lyubushkin or Matt Dumba.
Dallas drafted Lindell in the third round in 2012.