Game Day Guide: Stars at Blue Jackets

First shift 🏒

In the recent face of the 4 nations, the media discussion about the possibility that the NHL creates an award for the best “defender”. Since the Norris trophy often goes to the top -gate blueliner of the league, there is belief that a trophy is required that highlights the defensive game. After all, the strikers have the Selke trophy.

ESA Lindell are among the possible candidates for a top defensive defender.

“You could say I'm biased, but I think the word is no longer,” said co -trainer Alain Nasreddine in Lindell's game for Finland at the 4 nations. “I had friends in various organizations who talked about ESA and you can see how well he played. When he plays 28 minutes, he will look up and then watch his games there, he basically gave them what he gives us. “

Lindell was a large part of the Finland team, which several important defenders were missing, including the teammates of colleagues, Miro Heikanen. He had an average of 28 minutes in the three games and played decisively against some of the best players in the world.

“For this team, they rely more on him than we do,” said defender Brendan Smith. “They are very thin in the back and he plays big minutes against some of the best players in the world. That is impressive. This was a great tournament for people to see what he is doing out there. “

Lindell is back with the stars and helps you to win over the devils and islanders over the weekend. He played 25:29 on Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back. Like Finland, Dallas is without Heikans and Nils Lundkvist. On Sunday Lian Bichsel went out with a head injury and Matt Dumba was rated 17 minutes in the middle of the game. That meant that Lindell had to rise again.

“The whole defense was great,” said goalkeeper Jake Oettinger.

In the NHL, Lindell came first in the short step with 3:29 per game and laid about 75 percent of the stars of the stars with the penalty kill. This is impressive for a team that is successful for the NHL lead in a penalty at 85.0 percent.

“You are tough minutes, but he knows how to play them,” said defender Cody Ceci.

Nasreddine said Lindell was an intelligent penalty killer and that helps him eat the minutes.

“He is just a clever player, very reliable,” said Nasreddine. “He showed that he can make it, so we feel good with him out there. It is hockey and understanding of the system of the other team. He sets the time, he studies, he knows her tendencies, he is a student of the game. “

And that could be a large part of the discussion when the NHL decides to start a defensive defender.

“He would be a great candidate for how he plays,” said Ceci. “He reads the piece very well, he just holds it and makes it predictable for his teammates. He is never in position, he's just really smart. “