Stars lock up two of their best defensemen

This just in, fresh off of signing defenseman Esa Lindell to a five year deal earlier today, the Dallas Stars have announced that they've signed RFA forward Thomas Harley to a two year contract worth $4 million per season.

The 23 year old blueliner broke out in a big way last season, playing the majority of the campaign on the team's top pairing with star defenseman Miro Heiskanen. Harley managed 15 goals and 47 points in 79 games with the Stars last season.

Read below for our earlier report on Lindell's signing.

This just in, the Dallas Stars have signed 30 year old defenseman Esa Lindell to a five year contract extension worth $5.25 million per season.

Salary cap resource PuckPedia reports that Lindell's new deal comes with a modified no-trade clause. Years 1-3 Lindell has a full no-trade clause, while in years 4 and 5 he'll have a 20 team no-trade list.

From PuckPedia:

Lindell put up five goals and 26 points in 82 games with the Stars last season, playing mostly alongside now Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Jani Hakanpaa on the team's second defensive pairing. Lindell's long-time defensive partner John Klingberg left the Stars a couple years ago and since then it's been a revolving door of partners for Lindell. He finished last season playing with trade acquisition Chris Tanev, now also of the Leafs. 

I'd expect Lindell to line up alongside Matt Dumba, Ilya Lyyubushkin or Brendan Smith this upcoming season. Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley are likely to lock up the first pairing, giving Lindell some prime-time on the team's second pairing.