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Stars defenseman Esa Lindell is in perfect place to make step up to NHL next season

With almost 30 years in scouting and player development at the NHL level, Stars assistant general manager Les Jackson has learned a few things _ and one is to not overhype a prospect.

"I think we all tend to do it," Jackson said. "He's `our guy,' so we want him to do well, and I think we all tend to say the best things about him, and maybe we set the expectations too high and that makes it tougher on the player."

Except for with Esa Lindell, Jackson has a loophole.

"With Esa, I can just let Finland's actions do all the talking, and then I'm not the one setting the expectations," Jackson said with a chuckle.