The Dallas Stars have their number-one goalie for the foreseeable future. On Thursday, Oct. 17 Stars introduced they prolonged netminder Jake Oettinger to an eight-year, $66 million deal that kicks in in the course of the 2025-26 season. The annual common worth (AAV) might be $8.25 million which matches the AAVs of the recently-signed Jeremy Swayman (BOS) and Linus Ullmark (OTT) whose extensions kick in subsequent season as effectively. That being mentioned, what does that imply for “Otter” and the Stars subsequent season and past?
Operating on Otter Energy
The 25-year-old Lakeville, MN native acquired paid by the Stars as they imagine he’s the netminder of their future by means of the 2032-33 season the place he’ll develop into an unrestricted free agent at 34. He was set to develop into a restricted free agent after the 2024-25 season however these worries can go away with the extension. On his profession, Oettinger has posted a 116-48-23 document in 196 regular-season video games with a .914 save proportion (SV%), a 2.49 goals-against common (GAA), and 11 shutouts. Throughout the 2023-24 season, he had a 35-14-14 document with a 2.72 GAA and a .905 SV% in 54 video games performed. To this point within the 2024-25 season, he is an ideal 3-0-0 with a 1.63 GAA, a .948 SV%, and one shutout.
Associated: Dallas Stars Signal Jake Oettinger to 8-12 months Extension
When requested concerning the extension, normal supervisor Jim Nill said, “Jake has established himself as one of many elite goaltenders within the NHL. His distinctive mix of poise, measurement, athleticism, and psychological toughness has helped our crew attain new heights since he’s taken over the web. He’s an integral a part of our core that may enable us to contend for the Stanley Cup this season, but in addition for a few years to come back. Off the ice, Jake is a pacesetter in our crew’s group efforts and is all the time prepared to provide his time and sources. I’m happy that Jake and his spouse Kennedi might be a part of our household for a few years to come back.”
It goes to point out how a lot Nill and the Stars think about the 2017 Twenty sixth-overall decide to not solely give him a long-term deal however one which places him inside the prime 10 for NHL netminders. Having the ability to place Oettinger’s identify together with the likes of Swayman, Ullmark, Ilya Sorokin, and others offers followers a way that the goalie place received’t be a difficulty for years to come back.
Oettinger, because the 2020-21 season, has been stellar for the Stars. He ranks within the prime 10 in wins (116, sixth) and GAA (2.49, seventh) amongst energetic goalies to play in at the very least 50 regular-season video games. Moreover, he’s tied for eleventh in SV% (.914) and tied for thirteenth in shutouts (11). Whereas he has solely completed prime 5 within the Vezina Trophy voting as soon as (fifth), he has the possibility to convey it dwelling for the primary time in franchise historical past.
Associated: Stars’ Jake Oettinger Eyeing Franchise’s First Vezina Trophy This Season
When it’s all mentioned and accomplished, may Oettinger be the best netminder in franchise historical past with names like Ed Belfour, Marty Turco, and others? Both method, it’s an thrilling time for Stars followers figuring out that they’ve the following 9 seasons, together with 2024-25, to get themselves an Oettinger sweater figuring out he’s the number-one for seasons to come back. It’s an thrilling time and congrats to Oettinger for getting a well-deserved pay increase and the safety of figuring out he’ll be in Lone Star State for the foreseeable future.
Again to the Lone Star State
The Stars are again dwelling on Saturday, Oct. 19 to face the Edmonton Oilers after dropping 3-2 to the Washington Capitals on Oct. 17. The sport is at 3 p.m. Central and could be watched on Victory+. They are going to be seeking to construct off their 4-1-0 document towards the Oilers who’re 2-3-0 to date. It’d be an enormous enhance to get a leg up on the crew that eradicated them within the 2024 Western Convention Last.
