Saturday: The Stars officially announced the signing. GM Jim Nill released the following statement:
Wyatt has established himself as one of the best young forwards in the NHL. His skill, maturity, and dedication to the game has already made him a valuable contributor and we believe he will be a huge asset for us moving forward.
Friday: According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Dallas Stars have agreed to a five-year, $42MM extension with forward Wyatt Johnston. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period provided Johnston’s extension details:
- Year 1: $4.4MM base salary, $4MM signing bonus
- Year 2: $5.4MM base salary, $3MM signing bonus
- Year 3: $8.4MM base salary
- Year 4: $8.4MM base salary
- Year 5: $8.4MM base salary
It’s not the long-term eight-year deal Jeff Marek alluded to a few days ago, but it’s still a solid bit of work from general manager Jim Nill. The likely comparable to Johnston’s negotiations was Detroit Red Wings’ forward Lucas Raymond, who signed an eight-year, $64.6MM extension in mid-September. Johnston got a comparative salary bump with an $8.4MM AAV and can walk right into unrestricted free agency after the 2029-30 NHL season.
There’s no questioning he’s earned that salary. Since debuting with the Stars in 2022-23, Johnston has scored 79 goals and 165 points in 226 games, averaging 17:02 ice time per game. That point production is the highest of the 2021 NHL Draft class by a 29-point margin. Unlike many centers in his age group, Johnston has also demonstrated maturity in the faceoff dot with a career success rate of 48.5%.
Johnston has also been an important factor for the Stars come playoff time. He tied for the team lead in scoring during last year’s postseason run, scoring 10 goals and 16 points in 19 contests. His production has been indispensable for the Stars, and it should remain that way, considering he’s 21 years old.
Next summer, questions will likely be raised in Dallas regarding the Stars’ salary cap situation. The team has added $20.4 million to next year’s cap with the recent contract extension for Mikko Rantanen. While this shouldn’t heavily impact the team in the upcoming season—aside from possibly losing their aging captain, Jamie Benn—the long-term implications for the 2026-27 season could be concerning. Jason Robertson, who will be a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, is just three years away from unrestricted free agency and has proven himself worthy of a raise from his current $7.75 million salary. This could pose a challenge for the Stars in fitting his new salary within the cap at that time.
Straight to UFA, allowing him to cash in earlier. They weren’t going much higher than this AAV on an 8 year term.
I think he should’ve gone for a 3 year deal he is going to end up very underpaid very quickly.
Please keep posting!
Dallas is such a well-run organization, I hope Stars fans understand how fortunate they are.
Yes, I would say we Stars fans are well aware of Jim Nill’s skill and would be hard pressed to find anyone better.
The Texas Rangers president and former GM Chris Young is pretty close.
As to the Cowboys and Mavericks GM’s, well, the records and recent moves speak volumes as to their incompetence.
I gotta agree. They’re a division rival I love to hate, but I have a ton of respect for them.
I was recently in Dallas for a youth hockey tournament, and even the way the organization supports youth hockey, the multiple arenas, and the city is amazing. Their logo is everywhere, they sponsor so many things. It’s really quite incredible. I wish my hometown team did half as much as the Stars do in that respect. Hell, we have to jump through hoops just to watch them on TV.
Hating another business is always fun to watch play out in real time. it’s almost like you are not an adult.
Happy day in Dallas!
back to back to back GM of the year.
Well done Outstanding!!!!
Jamie Benn not going anywhere either. Seguin, maybe.
Dallas is one of the better run organizations in the NHL. Credit to Dallas on first signing Mikko Rantanen to a long-term deal then signing Wyatt Johnson to a long-term deal. Two big signings & core pieces for Dallas moving forward.
Dallas will have to make various decisions this offseason with their roster because of their cap situation. I will say, Jamie Benn shouldn’t be a problem for them to re-sign on a low end deal though.
Five year deal is a lot solider work than eight would’ve been.