Sam Steel signed a four-year, $14.8 million contract with the Dallas Stars on Monday. It begins next season and has an average annual value of $3.7 million.
The 28-year-old forward set NHL career highs in goals (12), assists (21) and points (33) in 73 regular-season games and had no points in six Stanley Cup Playoff games last season, his third with the Stars. Steel could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027.
"It's really exciting to have term like this," Steel told the Stars website. "It's a great honor that they want me for five years. ... I haven't had a ton of security – a lot of one-year deals or two-year deals. So I've changed my game a little bit and adapted, so it's nice to be here."
A first-round pick (No. 30) by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2016 NHL Draft, Steel has 175 points (61 goals, 114 assists) in 491 regular-season games with the Ducks, Minnesota Wild and Stars and 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 48 playoff games.
"We couldn't be happier to extend Sam," general manager Jim Nill said. "His consistency during his time with our team, especially on the penalty kill, plus his versatility has made him a valuable asset to our organization, and we’re happy to be locking him up for the next four seasons."
The Stars lost in the first round of the playoffs last season after three straight trips to the Western Conference Final.
"Obviously, we want to win a Cup every year," Steel said. "We've had some long runs and still didn't quite get there. Last year was a disappointing result, but it's motivation for this year. "
Dallas plays its regular-season opener at home against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 2.
