A win-win deal: Sam Steel’s extension a testament to versatility, evolution as a player

Sam Steel has had some challenges in his career that have kept him on his toes.

But after signing a four-year contract extension this week, the Stars forward has a chance to relax and be where his boots are.

“It’s really exciting to have term like this,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s a great honor that they want me for five years.”

The contract extension kicks in next season, so Steel is locked into Victory Green for the next half-decade. Steel gets a raise from his $2.1 million this season to an average of $3.7 million throughout the new deal. Stars general manager Jim Nill said it is money well spent.

“We couldn’t be happier to extend Sam,” 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.”

Steel put up a huge season in Junior hockey with the Regina Pats (WHL) in 2016-17, tallying 131 points (50 goals, 81 assists) in 66 games. He was drafted by Anaheim in the first round (30th overall) in 2016 and worked hard to find a fit on the Ducks roster from 2018-22. However, Anaheim decided to not qualify Steel as a restricted free agent at age 24, and he signed as a free agent with Minnesota.

His year with the Wild was good, as he scored 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 65 games, but the Wild also allowed him to hit free agency the following summer. Steel then signed a one-year contract with the Stars for $850,000 in July 2023.

While he was happy to stay in the NHL, it was a grind to get that next deal.

“I haven’t had a ton of security – a lot of one-year deals or two-year deals,” Steel said. “So I’ve changed my game a little bit and adapted, so it’s nice to be here.”

Steel has been used primarily as a defensive forward in three seasons with Dallas. He is among the team leaders in shorthanded time on ice at almost two minutes per game and has also won 50.6 percent of his faceoffs. Last season, he set new career-highs in goals (12), assists (21), points (33) and game-winning goals (5).

“I use Sam as a utility knife up and down the lineup,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “For me, he’s evolved himself. He came in as a first round pick kind of an offensive guy and still has touches of that, that’s why he can play up and down your lineup. But he’s adapted himself to be a good two-way player and penalty killer. I’m glad he got rewarded. I’m glad to have him, good character for us.”

Steel said he has worked hard to become that versatile player.

“I just show up, see where I am at and try to do the same thing no matter where we’re at. The consistency in my game is something I take pride in,” said Steel, who could see time this season on the Stars’ top line with Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen. “No matter who you are playing with, just bring the same energy and the same little details, the same battle level. I try not to let it change my game.”

And now, he can work on doing that consistently in Dallas, where the team will try to push over the top after making a number of deep playoff runs over the past few years.

“Obviously, we want to win a Cup every year. We’ve had some long runs and still didn’t quite get there,” Steel said. “Last year was a disappointing result, but it’s motivation for this year. Whenever you lose out, it’s just adding fuel to the fire. Hopefully, it’s just a little extra this year.”

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on X @MikeHeika.