Lindell's New Contract The Latest Example Of First-Rate Management By Stars GM Jim Nill

Monday afternoon, the Dallas Stars announced the latest in a long line of high-value contract extensions when GM Jim Nill re-signed veteran defenseman Esa Lindell to a five-year, $26.25-million deal. The pact, which will begin in the 2025-26 season, is -- and this is not a typo -- worth $550,000 less per season than what Lindell is making this year ($5.8-million).

And this is not a case of someone who is a declining asset. First of all, Lindell is still only 30 years old. And last season, the native Finn posted 21 assists -- tying his career-high in that department -- and logged an average of 20:28 per game while leading the team in blocked shots, with 162. When the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off is played in February, Lindell will be on Finland's blueline, and for the foreseeable future now, Lindell is going to be an excellent second-pair D-man for Dallas.

Related: Projecting the Stars: Esa Lindell

More than anything, though, is what the extension says about the work of Nill -- you know, the man who is the reigning, defending, undisputed, back-to-back NHL GM of the year. That Nill was able to persuade Lindell to take a pay cut is a magic act that beckons for a Las Vegas residency. As Stars radio voice Bruce LeVine aptly said it:

And with Lindell now signed through the 2029-30 season -- and with a new contract for budding first-pair defenseman Thomas Harley likely on the way soon -- the Stars are going to have their top three blueliners happy and well-funded.And remember, every dollar Nill saves on an extension for a key cog is a dollar available to augment the lineup with talented contributors down the line. (Sure, in a salary-cap-free world, Lindell would be paid more. But in tax-free Texas, Lindell's money goes signficantly further, and Nill can exploit that collective bargaining agreement advantage, because that's what's in Nill''s job description.)

Also in the job description: building a team players want to play on, and wanting that badly enough to leave money on the table. Lindell easily could've left for financially-greener pastures, but he knows as well as anyone how deep and talented the Stars really are. It makes all the sense in the world that he'd choose to stay in Dallas, because Dallas has as good a chance as anyone to not only win a Stanley Cup, but win multiple Stanley Cups. Is it really worth it to abandon that opportunity to join an organization you won't really know for quite some time? Lindell clearly doesn't think so, and he put his money where his mouth is to support the team.

Related: Jim Nill Interview, Part Four: Why Dallas Has Arguably The Best 'D' In The NHL

Nill's management genius isn't just about hi surrounding himself with excellent hockey people, from Dallas' draft and development team to coach Peter DeBoer to the players themselves. Look back through Nill's tenure, and you'll find very few mistakes Nill makes. From his days back to being a key management member for the Detroit Red Wings right through today, Nill has don yeomans' work, and it's because of him the Stars are ranked by many as the best team in the Central Division, Western Conference, and for that matter, as the best team in the league.

Lindell doesn't need a high profile to make him a happy hockey player. He wanted to be on a Cup contender, and he wanted to be virtually assured of playoff hockey for the next six years. He's got both of those wishes realized in Dallas, and he's going to be a content, motivated Star until further notice. It's all another well-done job by Nill, and Dallas is going to be a team to reckon with because of moves like this one.

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