NHL Rumors: Jake Oettinger Contract Extension Update

The 2022-23 season is growing closer and contract talks between the Dallas Stars and goaltender Jake Oettinger have gone nowhere, Saad Yousef of The Athletic reported. Oettinger wants to remain in Dallas long-term but it must be a number that's fair for the team's best playoff performer last season and one of the main pieces of the future.

Goaltending is so important and the Stars took a chance and drafted him in the first round in 2017. They've developed Oettinger and watched him grow into one of the best goalies in the NHL, proving such when he posted a .954 save percentage and 1.81 goals against average in the Stars' seven game series vs the Calgary Flames.

We'll need to process the data tonight to confirm, but it appears Oettinger now has the highest Goals Saved Above Expected for any goalie in a playoff series since 2007. Truly historic. pic.twitter.com/VZ9Hh8D4KU
— Evolving-Hockey (@EvolvingHockey) May 16, 2022

Dallas is in cap trouble since they not only have to re-sign Oettinger, but Jason Robertson as well. With Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn underperforming for the amount of money they make, it has handcuffed the team into offering their young stars less money. Going into the season with Oettinger unsigned is not an option considering the Stars have just Scott Wedgewood.

The Stars are going to have to figure things out and somehow move cap around. Oettinger and Robertson have proved themselves beyond bridge deals and if a young stellar goaltender wants to sign long-term, that needs to get done.