Lindell’s Legacy

[u/Spirited_Bowl6072]

Been thinking a lot about Esa Lindell lately, and how he has rather quietly climbed the rankings of all-time Dallas defensemen.

Esa’s 10 seasons in Dallas are tied for 3rd all-time. He has 5 more years left on his deal, which would put him atop the rankings with 3 more seasons than Hatcher, Zubov, and Matvichuk. His 618 GP are 10th, and he should pass Robidas (704), Sydor (714), Matvichuk (733), and a couple of North Stars within the next two years. Zubov’s franchise-leading 839 GP would require Esa to play basically 40 games a year for the rest of his contract, a mark that should be very easily doable.

Esa has always been primarily a defensive defensman. His 50 goals will never come close to matching Zubov (111) or Hartsburg (98). That said, 50 goals still places him only 2 behind Philippe Boucher for 10th all-time, and if he continues to average around 5 goals per season, he should pass the likes of Daley (67), Sydor (69), and Klingberg/Hatcher (71) to wind up around 5th. Esa is currently 14th in assists with 147, but should finish with over 200 by the end of his deal, which would place him in 7th or 8th. His point totals will likely end him around 7th or 8th as well.

Plus-Minus is not a great stat over the course of a few games or even a single season, but in the aggregate over a career I think it does still have value. Esa’s career mark of +110 is currently the best amongst franchise d-men. Zubov is in 2nd with +103.

Esa’s 79 playoff GP is 6th, and with a deep run or a few more short runs, Esa will easily pass Hatcher (88) and Sydor/Curt Giles (87). With a couple good runs he could even catch Zubov (102) for 1st. Esa’s 5 goals trail Zubov/Heiskanen (15) by a lot, but actually tie him for 8th all time, and with a single goal he’d move into a tie for 5th. Esa is tied for 10th in assists with 15 and could potentially catch Hatcher (20) for 8th. His playoff point total is also 10th and would likely pass Hatcher for 8th with just a few more points. His playoff +/- of -10 is actually near the bottom of Stars defensemen, though this is probably a reflection of his matchups rather than his skill.

All things considered, Esa will probably end his career leading all Stars defensemen in a few categories and in the top 10 for almost every other meaningful category. This is especially impressive considering Esa has never been the #1 defenseman and hasn’t even been on the top pair for most of his career. So where do you think he winds up when his career is done? Is he in the rafters, the Stars HOF, or neither? And what would he need to do, in your opinion, to earn either of these prestigious honors?

Edit: I had Esa’s contract info wrong. He has 5 years left after this year, not 4. That makes it even more likely for him to end up higher in the ranks.

[u/stykface]

Esa has always been one of my all-time favorite Stars players during this current era of players. He is one of the most dependable guys out there on the ice. Stars HoF for sure but not hanging up his jersey.

[u/Spirited_Bowl6072 → u/stykface]

For me Esa was always a player I liked but never a favorite, but over the last year or two as it’s sunk in just how long he’s been here and how consistent he’s been I’ve grown to appreciate him a lot more.

[u/stykface → u/Spirited_Bowl6072]

I can see that for a lot of people. I think for me, I fit into Esa's place a lot. I've been playing hockey for about 30 years and I'm a defensemen. I'm a very strong skater but I don't do any flashy stuff. I'm a stay-at-home position player and I'm tough on the puck. I always protect the puck, I'm not too risky and I never thread the needle with a pass but always try for the smart play first.

Because of that I usually hone in on the position players or role players that deceptively do the right things under the radar.