The Dallas Stars made an expected change to their injured reserve earlier today. Dallas announced that they placed forward Oskar Back on the long-term injured reserve and defenseman Esa Lindell on the normal injured reserve.

Given that they’ve opened two roster spots, Dallas will likely recall a player from AHL Texas. Independent correspondent Robert Tiffin reports that the Stars will be without Sam Steel tomorrow after he received a treatment injection today. Forwards Radek Faksa and David Perron are also question marks, so it would make sense for the Stars to recall a forward.

Back has been out of Dallas’ lineup since October 14th. The 26-year-old forward broke his finger in the Stars’ shootout win over the Colorado Avalanche, and isn’t expected back until mid-to-late November.

With all due respect to Back, he should be fairly replaceable in Dallas’ bottom six. He scored nine goals and 28 points in 145 games throughout his first two years with the Stars, and has registered one assist in seven games this year.

Meanwhile, Lindell will be much trickier to replace. Arguably the Stars’ top defensive defenseman, Lindell has been recovering from a lower-body injury since October 17th. Although he is eligible to return tomorrow, today’s roster move suggests he is not quite ready yet. However, Dallas will have the option to activate him when he is healthy in the coming days.

On the year, Lindell has done what he does best. He’s gone scoreless in eight games, but has 18 blocked shots and has managed an exceptional 98.1% on-ice SV% at even strength.