The official definition for serendipity is: "The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way," and it might as well be the slogan of the 2022-23 Stars. On Sunday, another stroke of good fortune hit the team, and makes one thank the hockey gods things are working out the way they are.
The Stars announced a one-year contract extension for Joe Pavelsk with a base salary of $3.5 million and bonuses that could add another $2 million.
It's a pretty good bargain for a guy who has been near a point-a-game for the past three seasons in Dallas. Pavelski is a key component of what might be the best line in hockey and continues to defy expectations. He's 38 and will be 39 when the next contract kicks in, and that's one of the reasons he was willing to take a "discount." The other reason, of course, is that the grizzled NHL veteran has found a really nice home here. He plays with great linemates, he's coached by DeBoer, who was his bench boss in San Jose, and he plays with long time friend Ryan Suter.
The kids of Pavelski and Suter play hockey together, and on Saturday, a bunch of the family members were in the corner of the arena when Fredrik Olofsson scored his first NHL goal off a spectacular pass from Pavelski. There was magic in the moment, and a reminder of just how great things have been so far this season.
"It's fun to be in that celly, in that pile," Pavelski said. "We had a pretty good idea of where the kids is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.*
