At 6’3, 194lbs, there’s good reason to get excited about Esa Lindell. At 6’3 and 194lbs, there hasn’t a draft-eligible Finnish defenseman as big as Lindell since Aki Berg… Okay, maybe it’s best not to get too excited.
Esa Lindell
Lindell is currently ranked as the 12th best European skater by Central Scouting, and while it’s highly unlikely he goes in the first round, with his size alone, he is an interesting case for a mid-round selection. Despite his size, though, Lindell has quite a bit to work on in terms of his defensive game. He often gets lazy in puck battles, and could certainly play with much more force. If he were to actually play to this size, he could be a physical threat on the blueline. Like any young defenseman, he needs to improve his defensive-zone consistency and work on his decision making. As he continues to add size over the next couple of years, if he learns the nuances of the defensive game, he could be a real steal.
Of course, the most intriguing aspect of Lindell is his offensive stats this past season playing for the Jokerit U20 in Finland’s Jr. A league. In 48 games, Lindell netted 21 goals and added 30 assists, eclipsing a point-per-game pace. Of course, stats alone do not tell the whole story. Lindell played on one of the top teams in the league, and his defense partner, Otso Rantakari, is also ranked by Central Scouting for this year’s draft. Yes, he’s in the perfect environment to tally points, but the fact is that, at least offensively, he continued to do what was expected all season long. He was also one of Finland’s top defensemen at the WJC-U18 just last month, picking up six assists in seven games. While still quite raw, he has the size and skill set to become an NHL’er, he just needs to continue to refine his defensive game. Next year will be a big step forward as he’ll likely make the jump to the top men’s league in Finland, the SM-liiga.
Draft Prediction: 63rd overall, Edmonton Oilers
Why: The Oilers have a plethora of young talent up front, and it is no secret that the team is looking to add to their prospect depth on defense. That said, after winning the draft lottery they may not be able to resist selecting highly-touted Russian Nail Yakupov. If they do, they’ll certainly look for a steal in a defensemen in the middle rounds.
Ridin' The Pine 