In case you don’t remember, I feel quite strongly that Tyler Seguin is a huge key to the success of the Dallas Stars in 2026-27. If Seguin can stay healthy enough and still somehow contribute at a high rate, I feel a heck of a lot better about the forward group as it stands. Not perfect. But better. 

Well, the same can be said for the blue line and Mr. Thomas Harley. 

Dallas has an ELITE top three on defense in Harley, Miro Heiskanen, and Esa Lindell.

Heiskanen is one of the best players, not just defensemen, on the entire planet. The way he can control the game, move the puck with quick passing or his excellent skating, and end plays and odd-man rushes like it’s nothing makes him the Stars’ best player, hands down. 

Lindell is a defensive coach’s dream. Heck, he’s the dream of most NHL fans, coaches, and teammates. He isn’t going to do anything fancy and won’t light up the scoresheet, although he does have some hands and a good shot when it’s needed, but he may just be the best shutdown defender and penalty killer in the league. If not the best, very close to it.

Lindell plays nearly every second of shorthanded time for Dallas, blocks shots, knows perfectly when to use energy and when to conserve it, and is almost always in the right spot. He’s also a great leader, plays with some edge, and is constantly smiling. That counts too, ya know? 

Harley has all the looks of a future No. 1 defender. His offensive game is and always has been there. Harley scored 15 and 16 goals over his first two full NHL seasons, finishing with 47 and 50 points. He was a plus-28, followed by a plus-32, tallied 24 power-play points, and scored six game-winning goals over that span. He added another huge game-winner to send the Winnipeg Jets home in the second round of 2025 and racked up 14 points in 18 playoff games that spring.

He’s 24, entering only his fourth full season, his defensive game has shown some improvement, and he should only get better as he gets into his prime. 

All good, right?

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