Ben Bishop is the voice of reason for Dallas Stars defenders

Esa Lindell put his head down, pulled a loose puck out of a scrum of bodies, and planned on shooting it the length of the ice as the Dallas Stars clung to a 3-2 third period lead against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 10.

But a voice told him not to ice the puck.

Instead Lindell picked up his head, saw he had space, and carried the puck out of the zone and the Stars were able to make a change in a game they eventually won 4-2.

That’s they type of impact Ben Bishop has on the Stars defense.

The moment Lindell was digging out the puck the Stars goalie was yelling and communicating with his defense. He told Lindell he had time, don’t rush the play, and skate.

“He makes it easier,” Lindell said. “It really helps to have a goalie do that.”

Each of the seven defenders that have played this season have had similar moments with Bishop, who has established himself as both a puck stopper and confidence booster for Dallas.

“It’s great as a defenseman, he’s another set of eyes out there,” Dan Hamhuis said. “It makes you more confident and makes you able to make those plays when you’re under pressure, it’s hard to see all your options. He’s got a great vision and the confidence to tell you where to go.”

John Klingberg said Bishop is the most talkative goalie he’s ever played with. Stephen Johns said there have been a couple instances where a forechecker “was up his butt” and Bishop helped him avoid heavy hit with directions from the goalie.

“I’ve never been shy,” Bishop said. “You got to learn that quick, if you think you’re loud, you’ve got to be louder. There is a lot of people in that building and a lot of chaos, it sounds like you’re screaming at them, and you’re not, but you’ve just got to be loud.”

Marc Methot said having Bishop’s communication in net is like having an “ear piece with how-to instructions.”

“You can hear him at all times on the ice, which is a huge help for defensemen,” Methot said. “When our backs are turned to the play. Whether we have time, or he wants us to turn the middle. Or if he wants us to make a short pass to somebody. He’s usually calling out the plays and that helps out out a lot.”

It’s also the reason that Bishop is such a reliable puck handler. He lets his defenseman know where he’s going with the puck, makes smart decisions, and doesn’t panic when under pressure.

“Honestly I don’t know much about goalies, but Bish is talking a little bit more when he’s playing the puck, it seems like he always has a plan,” Klingberg said. “And his compusure with the puck when he can make plays, it’s great.”

Bishop picked up those habits early in his career while playing for the St. Louis Blues.

He was a younger goalie, but a veteran group of defensemen including Barret Jackman, Eric Brewer, and Jay McKee told the then 21-year-old he needed to be an extra pair of eyes on the ice.

“They all talked a lot on the ice, clear as day,” Bishop said. “It was one of those things where they made it clear to me real quick that I better talk to them, and that was from the first year. So ever since then I learned from those guys and saw how effective it is.”

Bishop said the communication is even more important late in games. Players get tired and the goalie can help simplify the game with clear communication.

“It’s easier in that situation to make the right play,” Bishop said. “The player has to execute the play, but I know it’s my job to make it as easy on them as I can.”