Breaking: Stars lock up a big part of their core

The Dallas Stars have announced that they’ve signed 23 year-old defenseman Esa Lindell to a two-year contract worth $4.4 million.

Drafted in the 3rd round (74th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the big Finnish defender scored six goals and 18 points in 73 games with the Stars in 2016-17 and is poised to break out in his sophomore season.

The Stars have a glut of young blue liners on their roster with Lindell, John Klingberg, Julius Honka, Patrik Nemeth, Stephen Johns and Jamie Oleksiak all expected to push for big minutes in 2017-18. Might Stars GM Jim Nill be persuaded into moving one or more for some help elsewhere in the lineup? Stay tuned.