The Dallas Stars are ensuring their franchise goaltender is sticking around for the long term.
Jake Oettinger and the Stars agreed to an eight-year extension that carries an $8.25 million cap hit to secure their No. 1 goaltender for the long run.
It is the second big goaltender deal to be signed this month after Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins agreed to an eight-year, $66-million deal before the start of the season.
Oettinger was entering the final year of his three-year deal that pays him $4 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent this off-season.
“Jake has established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL,” general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. “His unique blend of poise, size, athleticism and mental toughness has helped our team reach new heights since he’s taken over the net. He is an integral part of our core that will allow us to contend for the Stanley Cup this season, but also for many years to come.”
The 25-year-old is off to a great start this season, winning all three starts while posting a 1.63 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage.
The Laveville, Minn., native has a 116-48-23 record with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in 196 career games with the Stars.
Dallas selected Oettinger 26th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.