The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to a one-year deal worth $918,750, reports Dallas Morning News writer Mike Heika. The deal is reportedly the club’s qualifying offer issued earlier this summer. By signing Oleksiak, the Stars have only RFA Valeri Nichushkin to re-sign from last season.
The Stars former 2011 first round draft pick played 19 games with the big club last season and put up only two assists. The big defensemen routinely sat in the press box as a healthy scratch because he would be waiver-eligible if sent down to the minors. The much-heralded prospect never blossomed into the defensemen scouts expected, but the Stars hope that Oleksiak is a late bloomer.
Oleksiak will be battling for the last two defensive slots next season but should have a shot at making the team simply because everyone else competing for those spots can be sent down without passing through waivers. This deal acts as a “prove yourself” contract and gives Oleksiak one last shot to develop into a steady NHL defenseman for the Dallas Stars.