Random Thoughts on Jake Oettinger, Stars ownership, and Phil Kessel's chance at a bounce back

Just catching up on some big NHL news throughout the week.

Apologies for the late posting today but let us check in with some random NHL happenings from the week….

Dallas Stars have one headache solved, but another one still to go

The Dallas Stars entered the week with two of the most significant unsigned restricted free agents in starting goalie Jake Oettinger and winger Jason Robertson.

This was significant because they are also two of the Stars’ most important players, the Stars do not have a ton of cap flexibility in getting them signed, and it would be beneficial to get them signed long-term.

On Thursday, they at least took care of one of those issues by re-signing Oettinger to a three-year deal worth $4 million per season.

In the short-term, that is a potential steal for the Stars.

Oettinger has done nothing but perform at a high level since getting the call-up to the NHL level two years ago and this past season really took his game to a higher level. Especially in the playoffs. Even though the Stars lasted just a single round, losing in seven games to the Calgary Flames, Oettinger was one of the biggest stories of the opening round for the way he played in the series (a .954 save percentage!) and especially in Game 7 when he stopped 64 shots in the overtime defeat.

It’s an interesting contract for a couple of reasons.