The Dallas Stars fans have been on edge for what feels like an eternity waiting for the news of Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger to sign new contracts after their entry contracts both expired following the ’21-’22 NHL season. On Thursday afternoon, one domino finally fell clearing the path for the last to fall heading into training camp.
Goaltender and playoff phenom Jake Oettinger signed a 3-year contract with an AAV of $4 million shoring up the pipes for the Dallas Stars along with Scott Wedgewood. (Wedgewood was signed to a 2-year contract earlier in the offseason.) The tandem of Wedgewood and Otter will be heavily dependent on the latter of the two showing up just like Otter did in the first round of the playoffs against the Calgary Flames.
With the signing of Otter now complete, the focus can shift to shoring up one more piece of the youth movement in Jason Robertson. The Otter contract leaves just over $6 million in cap space for the Stars and one has to think that a majority if not all of the leftover space will be allotted to Robo. Or, it is entirely possible general manager Jim Nill has a bridge contract set up for Robo as well, leaving enough room to add one more piece to the fold. Nill has said on many occasions in the offseason that we would like to add more offense to the roster even after the acquisition of Mason Marchment, who was added at the very beginning of the free agency period. If you Company that along with the exit of John Klingberg, there is still a handful of veteran defensemen available to add depth to the blue line. Regardless of what happens next, the table is set for the Stars to ensure a full and complete roster for the upcoming NHL campaign.
Stars fans can now breathe a tad easier knowing their goaltending and youth are safe and sound here in Dallas for the foreseeable future. How do you feel about the contract? Too much or too little? Too long or too short? Let us know what you think!
The Morning Skate 