Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston skates down the ice with the puck
(Photo by Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Dallas Stars sign Wyatt Johnston to 5-year, $42 million extension with $8.4M AAV
  • 21-year-old forward has 60 points in 63 games this season, riding 9-game point streak
  • Read below for details on Johnston’s extension, coming one day after Stars acquired Mikko Rantanen

The Dallas Stars have secured a cornerstone piece of their future, signing 21-year-old forward Wyatt Johnston to a five-year, $42 million contract extension on Saturday.

The deal carries an $8.4 million AAV and will keep the rising star in Victory Green through the 2029-30 season.


“It’s exciting to see the guys that are already here and the guys that are signed long-term,” Johnston said after netting a goal in Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. “It’s a really exciting group that I’m so happy and thankful to be a part of.”

Johnston’s extension comes just one day after Dallas made the biggest splash of trade deadline day, acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes and immediately signing him to an eight-year, $96 million contract. The back-to-back moves show the Stars are all-in on a Stanley Cup run.

The timing makes sense – with Jamie Benn’s contract expiring soon and a rising salary cap, GM Jim Nill has managed to keep the core together while adding top-tier talent.

Johnston has been nothing short of spectacular in his third NHL season, posting 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 63 games. He’s currently riding a nine-game point streak with nine goals and six assists during that span. Since January 1st, he ranks tied for sixth in NHL scoring with 35 points.

“He’s a great young player in this League,” Stars head 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.”

The contract buys out all of Johnston’s restricted free agency years but sets him up to hit unrestricted free agency at age 26 – a calculated move by both sides. The Stars lock in costs during Wyatt’s development, while Johnston positions himself for another massive payday before turning 30.

Selected 23rd overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Johnston has racked up 166 career points (80 goals, 86 assists) in 227 games – the most of any player from his draft class. He’s also proven he can deliver when games matter most, notching 22 points (14 goals, 8 assists) in 22 playoff contests.

“Wyatt has established himself as one of the best young forwards in the NHL,” 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.”

With Johnston and Rantanen now locked in long-term, the Stars (41-20-2) sit second in the Central Division, eight points behind Winnipeg.

As the regular season wraps up, Dallas is making it clear to the rest of the league—they’re not just focused on this spring; they’re in it for the long haul.