Esa Lindell

Esa Lindell is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons - namely, not enough spotlight. The point here is that he keeps finding ways to be underappreciated, which is almost a skill in itself for a player whose value tends to show up after the fact. Stars people know what he does, but the broader hockey world keeps treating him like a supporting character. That gap between impact and reputation is exactly why this one is worth a click.

The Hockey News has Lindell sitting 74th, which tells you exactly what kind of player he is - respected, useful, and easy to overlook if you only chase the highlight reel. Defensemen like Lindell usually earn their keep by making life simpler for everyone else, and front offices love that more than fans usually realize. A ranking like this says plenty about where he sits in the league’s ecosystem, especially for a Stars team that leans on structure as much as skill.