Esa Lindell
ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Four Defenseman
STRENGTHS
Defense: Lindell ranks among the finest pure defenders in the NHL because he’s virtually always in the right position. In addition to his size (6’3”, 215 lbs), he flashes great play recognition and makes full use of his active stick. He acts as the perfect foil for a brilliant but occasionally lackadaisical puck-mover in John Klingberg.
Skating: Combined with his frame, his powerful stride allows him to disrupt the opposition in all three zones. He covers a ton of ground and thus matches up well with today’s star forwards. This mobility also lets him join the rush without totally compromising his team’s structure.
Durability: The Finn is as dependable as they get—and this extends to availability. He’s missed very few games in his career. Dallas’ coach knows he can rely on Lindell to suit up and perform well day in and day out.
WEAKNESSES
Strength: While Lindell boasts good size and defensive instincts on the whole, he can sometimes struggle to contain rushes. Particularly when forwards drive hard to the net, Lindell can get overwhelmed and lose his bearings. A touch more core strength would go a long way toward gaining leverage and pushing these attackers off-course.
Puck Management: If he’s granted time and space, he makes good decisions with the puck. If he isn’t, he can occasionally put his team in trouble. A physical, heavy forecheck will bother most blueliners, and Lindell is no exception to that rule.
