The Dallas Stars secured two important defensemen with new contracts just before training camp began. Esa Lindell received a five-year extension worth $26.25 million, while Thomas Harley signed a two-year deal for $8 million.
The announcement for Lindell came on Tuesday, as the 30-year-old was heading into the final season of his previous six-year contract valued at $34.8 million. His new deal, averaging $5.25 million per season, will start in the 2025-26 season and last until 2029-30.
In his first full season, Harley led Dallas defensemen with 15 goals while helping the Stars reach the Western Conference Final for the second year in a row. The 23-year-old also contributed 32 assists for a total of 47 points and was the NHL’s top defenseman with three overtime goals.
Dallas will open training camp on Thursday.
Lindell scored 26 points last season, including five goals and 21 assists, marking his best performance since 2018-19 when he had 32 points. He also led the team with 162 blocked shots and averaged 20:28 minutes of ice time per game.
“Esa is a stalwart presence on our blueline 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.”
Lindell has played in all 164 regular-season games over the last two seasons. In his 604 NHL games, all with the Stars since his debut in the 2015-16 season, he has tallied 191 points (49 goals and 142 assists).
Lindell, Harley, and Miro Heiskanen make up the core of the Dallas defense. Heiskanen, who is 25 years old, is entering the fourth year of the $67.6 million, eight-year contract he signed in 2021.
