Stars ink Pavelski to 1-year, $3.5M extension
The Dallas Stars signed veteran forward Joe Pavelski to a one-year contract extension with a base salary of $3.5 million and potential for up to $2 million in performance bonuses, the team announced Sunday.
The 38-year-old was bound for unrestricted free agency this summer. This marks the second consecutive year Pavelski has inked a midseason pact, having signed a one-year, $6-million extension last March.
"Joe continues to prove why he is one of the best players in the NHL, and we are fortunate that he will be part of our group for another season," general manager Jim Nill said. "He embodies what it means to be a professional hockey player with his approach to the game both on and off the ice. Joe's leadership in the locker room is invaluable and the level of respect that he has throughout the entire league speaks volumes to the man that he is."
Pavelski joined Dallas as a free agent in 2019 after 13 years with the San Jose Sharks. He's been one of the Stars' best players since arriving, putting up 200 points in 243 games, including a career-high 81 in 2021-22.
The Wisconsin native is third on Dallas in scoring this season with 12 goals and 25 assists and is closing in on the 1,000-point plateau for his career, sitting at 961.
Pavelski was the Stars' most prominent pending unrestricted free agent. Dallas was projected to have over $12 million in available money for 2023-24 before his extension, according to Cap Friendly, but the league hasn't finalized next year's salary cap yet.
The Stars lead the Central Division with a 23-9-6 record.