Esa Lindell

Lindell has developed into one of the steadiest defenders in the NHL. He's not a star and he won't lead your fantasy team to a championship, but there is low-end, multi-category production here on a yearly basis. Lindell is generally good for about a half dozen goals and 25-30 points over the course of a full 82-game season, in addition to 100-plus shots and well over 100 hits and blocks. There's a clear ceiling here, but Lindell is worth a late-round pick depending on your league's settings.

Lindell continued to flourish as a well-rounded defenseman in his fourth full season last year, posting 23 points, 127 blocked shots and 89 hits in 69 games. The Finn picked up seven of his points on the power play while adding a plus-5 rating. Lindell is a clear top-pairing defenseman due to his work in his own zone, but he's also no slouch on the scoresheet. The 26-year-old has shown remarkable durability despite his taxing physical play style, having missed only two games over the last three years. Fantasy managers won't want to reach on Lindell, who is typically only capable of a 25-to-30 point pace, but he'll be a solid depth piece in standard formats and a useful member of any team in leagues that count blocked shots.

Lindell's third NHL campaign was his best yet, as he set career highs in goals (11), points (32), hits (143), blocked shots (161) and average ice time (24:20). The 25-year-old is a strong two-way asset, and while he's overshadowed on the Dallas blue line by John Klingberg and emerging star Miro Heiskanen, Lindell would easily be a top-pairing defenseman on a lot of rosters. His lack of consistent power-play time puts a cap on his fantasy ceiling and isn't in a situation likely to change given all the talent around him. However, he still offers plenty of value in formats that utilize secondary categories, and even in standard fantasy leagues, Lindell shouldn't be overlooked.

A third round pick in 2012, Lindell has developed into a reliable jack-of-all-trades for the Stars, skating in all situations and handling his assignments with poise and confidence. The 24-year-old is capable of more offense than he showed last year given his plus vision and passing skills, but Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg are locked in as point men on the first power-play unit, putting a firm cap on Lindell's opportunities and ceiling. With Dallas looking for more consistent secondary scoring behind its big guns, though, he could be given more latitude to use his natural instincts for joining the rush. Lindell will continue his development in 2018-19 as a key piece of a young and improving Stars blue-line brigade.

Lindell made a good impression in his first full NHL season, showing poise and strong passing skills while registering a surprising plus-8 rating in 73 games for a Stars team that had trouble keeping the puck out of the net. While fellow prospect Julius Honka arguably has more offensive upside, Lindell’s length and willingness to jump into the rush makes him nearly as dangerous. That said, both of them could have a significant role with the man advantage as soon as this year. don't expect a big jump in Lindell’s point total in 2017-18, but the 23-year-old figures to be a key part of the Stars’ future on the blue line.

Lindell made his NHL debut during the 2015-16 season, but it didn't stick. He played just four total games. The young defender has a good chance of making an NHL gig stick this time. He's one of the most exciting defensive prospects in the league, as evidenced by his being named to Finland's World Cup team at such a young age. He's a strong puck-mover with a good first pass and the ability to be an offensive threat from the blue line.