Johnston signs 5-year, $42 million contract with Stars

Wyatt Johnston signed a five-year, $42 million contract with the Dallas Stars on Saturday. The contract, which begins next season, has an average annual value of $8.4 million.

"It’s exciting to see the guys that are already here and the guys that are signed long-term here," Johnston said after scoring in a 5-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. "It’s a really exciting group that I’m so happy and thankful to be a part of. It's super exciting, just to see where things are at with the Stars. I love being here and it’s awesome."

The 21-year-old forward has 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 63 games this season, his third after being selected by the Stars in the first round (No. 23) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He had an NHL career-high 65 points (32 goals, 33 assists) in 82 games last season.

Johnston could have become a restricted free agent July 1.

“Wyatt has established himself as one of the best young forwards in the NHL,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “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.”

Johnston is tied for sixth in the NHL since Jan. 1 with 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists). After scoring in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, he has a nine-game point streak (nine goals, six assists).

His 166 career points (80 goals, 86 assists) in 227 games are the most by player selected at the 2021 draft. Johnston also has 22 points (14 goals, eight assists) in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"He’s a great young player in this League," Dallas coach Pete DeBoer said. "What people don’t see behind the scenes is that he’s just a character kid. He’s a great pro, does it right every day, learned from the best in Joe Pavelski and he’s going to be a big-time player and leadership guy for this organization for a long time."

Dallas (41-20-2), which acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes and signed the forward to an eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million AAV) on Friday, is second in the Central Division, eight points behind the Winnipeg Jets.