The Dallas Stars have signed No. 1 goaltender Jake Oettinger to an eight-year extension worth $66-million.
Oettinger is now under contract through the 2032-33 NHL season at an annual salary cap hit of $8.25-million. The deal, finalized Thursday, comes on the heels of the Boston Bruins inking fellow American goalie Jeremy Swayman for the exact same amount of money and same term.
“Real obvious he’s a core piece here and has been for a while,” coach Peter DeBoer said before his team’s game against the Washington Capitals. “A great deal: a great deal for him, well-earned, and a great deal for the team. I think it’s going to look really good for both parties going forward.”
Swayman held out of training camp as a restricted free agent, and his deal that went into effect immediately ends in 2032. Oettinger is making $4-million this season and would have been a restricted free agent next summer.
Instead, one of the candidates to start in net for the U.S. at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics will have no such drama. And his new contract comes as Oettinger is off to a 3-0-0 start with a 1.63 goals against average and .948 save percentage.
“Jake has established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL,” general manager Jim Nill said. “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.”
Oettinger, who turns 26 in December, backstopped Dallas to the Western Conference final last season. The Stars have made the playoffs in each of his three years as their starter, and since he debuted in 2021, the Lakeville, Minnesota, native ranks sixth with 116 wins, seventh with a 2.29 GAA, 11th with a .914 save percentage and is tied for 13th with 11 shutouts among goalies to appear in at least 50 games.
“Every year he’s growing and adding and getting better,” DeBoer said. “I like that he’s been at his best at the toughest time of year in the playoffs.”
Oettinger is the latest high-profile player at hockey’s most important position to sign a lucrative, long-term contract. Along with him and Swayman, 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark signed for $8.250-million a year over the next four seasons with the Ottawa Senators.
The market is building toward whatever Igor Shesterkin gets with his next contract, whether it’s with the New York Rangers or elsewhere. The 2022 Vezina winner could be an unrestricted free agent this summer and is expected to surpass the $10.5-million a year Carey Price signed for in 2017.