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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Looking at Esa Lindell’s Short Stay with the Stars

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

After playing in four games with the Stars, Finnish defenseman Esa Lindell was re-assigned to the Texas Stars yesterday. Sean Shapiro shares a few thoughts on his short stint in Dallas, which he says gives fans a glimpse of the future.

Both Lindy Ruff and fellow blueliner Johnny Oduya were complimentary of Lindell—whose nickname, funnily enough, seems to be Lindy—during his short stay.

“Solid player,” Dallas defenseman Johnny Oduya said. “Good position, good stick. He’s good defensively. Coming in halfway through the year he’s done very well, I’m sure being paired up with his Finnish buddy (Jokipakka) has helped.”

Lindell talked about playing in the NHL and how he worked to adjust to the pace of play.

Lindell said there have been a couple surprising adaptations to the NHL. It’s just as fast as he thought it would be, but the overall positioning and depth of talent make a difference. He’s also learning that in the AHL mistakes are often bailed out, while mistakes in the NHL end up in the back of your own net.

Colton Sceviour also chimed in with his thoughts on Lindell.

The soft-spoken Finn doesn’t speak much in English and when he does it’s barely audible. If Spinal Tap turned it up to 11, Esa Lindell found a way to turn the amplifier to negative-one.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard him talk,” Stars forward Colton Sceviour said. “He’s like Jyrki (Jokipakka). Actually, he makes Jyrki sound loud.”

For more on Lindell’s stay in the Big D, you know the drill. [Wrong Side of the Red Line]

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The Stars have played their last game in January, which means you have plenty of time to relax, catch up on other things, and decide whether or not you want to watch the All-Star Game until the team returns on Feb. 2nd.

If you missed Mike Heika’s weekly Stars chat on Monday, here are a few highlights. [SportsDayDFW]

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In the wake of former Star Shawn Horcoff’s 20-game suspension, Sportsnet’s Mark Spector explores the NHL’s flawed drug program. [Sportsnet]

The latest episode of Stars Sunday is now online for your listening pleasure.

Sean McIndoe walks us through what happened over this past weekend and ranks the league’s top and bottom teams. [Vice]

Elliotte Friedman’s latest 30 Thoughts include a look at the KHL, its progression, and the rise of undrafted Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin. [Sportsnet]

Boston goalie Jonas Gustavsson was hospitalized after leaving the Bruins game last night. [NESN]

Max Pacioretty left the Canadiens game against the Blue Jackets last night after taking a P.K. Subban shot to the face. Michel Therrien said Pacioretty would be all right, but ouch. [NHL]

Here’s what you can expect as MLB’s Advanced Media revamps the NHL’s digital/tech presence. [Puck Daddy]

The #MDK was alive and kicking last night.

Okay, it’s the 1980s and you’ve got to create the ultimate 3-on-3 team. Who ya got? [NHL]

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The Panthers’ unusual player-of-the-game award is now available for fans to purchase. If anyone lives near Sunrise, please feel free to buy me one.

The Blues are asking for money to renovate the Scottrade Center. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

Brush up on your Wayne Gretzky trivia in honor of the Great One turning 55 years young yesterday. [ESPN]

The Blackhawks extended GM Stan Bowman’s contract through the 2020-21 season. [Chicago Sun-Times]

When players and their teams earn a spot on Hockey Night in Canada, they make sure to keep one souvenir in particular. #DoItForTheTowel [Sports Illustrated]

Longtime sports columnist Dave Stubbs says farewell after being let go from the Montreal Gazette. [PHWA]

And finally, the NHL and Go Pro renewed their partnership and brought us this video.

Talking Points