2025-2026 Report Card: Esa Lindell once again keeps the neutral zone gates locked

Same fit. Different day.

• Cap: $5.25M (Year 1 of 5)

• GP: 82

• Goals: 6

• Assists: 26

• Points: 32

• Postseason: 1 assist

• xSPAR: 2.1 extra points in the standings

This is the Esa Lindell experience. Tracking data typically doesn’t make Lindell look all that great because he’s so averse to moving the puck. In general, his goal and shot impacts look sterling — and we’ll get to some of those — but for the most part, Lindell is a glass-and-out defender who is immune to making big mistakes with the puck. Because of that, Lindell actually led the blue line in expected Wins Above Replacement due to his elite defensive impact. Charts can be deceiving. Much like Lindell himself.