Dallas Stars sign goalie Jake Oettinger to an 8-year, $66 million extension

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jake Oettinger needed a new contract, and while the Dallas Stars knew they could play out the season and figure it out next summer, they wanted no part of that.

They were willing to wait a little bit to lock up their No. 1 goaltender, and that patience paid off.

Oettinger signed an eight-year extension worth $66 million on Thursday — the exact terms and money of the contract fellow American Jeremy Swayman signed with the Boston Bruins earlier this month. The $8.25 million salary cap hit Oettinger will have from next NHL season through 2032-33 is also identical to what 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark is getting paid annually by Ottawa over the next four years.

“That kind of brought it all together," general manager Jim Nill said at the first intermission of his team's game at the Washington Capitals. "It was no secret there was guys out there that had to get signed. So, we just said, Let’s see where the market’s at,′ and once that market’s settled, then let’s talk. And that’s pretty well what we did.”