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 through the 2025-26 season. The annual common worth (AAV) will likely 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 consider he’s the netminder of their future by way of the 2032-33 season the place he’ll turn into an unrestricted free agent at 34. He was set to turn 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. In the course of 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 date 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-Yr Extension
When requested in regards to the extension, common supervisor Jim Nill said, “Jake has established himself as one of many elite goaltenders within the NHL. His distinctive mix of poise, dimension, 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 permit us to contend for the Stanley Cup this season, but additionally for a few years to come back. Off the ice, Jake is a frontrunner in our crew’s group efforts and is at all times keen to present his time and assets. I’m happy that Jake and his spouse Kennedi will likely 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 choose 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 title together with the likes of Swayman, Ullmark, Ilya Sorokin, and others offers followers a way that the goalie place gained’t be a problem for years to come back.
Oettinger, for the reason that 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 lively goalies to play in at the 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 prospect to deliver it house 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 completed, may Oettinger be the best netminder in franchise historical past with names like Ed Belfour, Marty Turco, and others? Both means, it’s an thrilling time for Stars followers understanding that they’ve the subsequent 9 seasons, together with 2024-25, to get themselves an Oettinger sweater understanding 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 elevate and the safety of understanding he’ll be in Lone Star State for the foreseeable future.
Again to the Lone Star State
The Stars are again house on Saturday, Oct. 19 to face the Edmonton Oilers after shedding 3-2 to the Washington Capitals on Oct. 17. The sport is at 3 p.m. Central and may 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 this point. It’d be an enormous increase to get a leg up on the crew that eradicated them within the 2024 Western Convention Last.
