*Photo from the Associated Press*
The Dallas Stars are not fooling around with the defense. They are paying the guy who deserves it. The Stars and D Miro Heiskanen have agreed to an 8 year, $67.6 million extension, that carries an $8.45 million AAV, according to an announcement by the team.
GM Jim Nill said "He wanted to be a Dallas Star for life. Dallas is his home, he loves the team, he loves his teammates and he just wants to know that he's compensated fairly, and that he just wants to go play hockey."
Last season, Heiskanen suited up for 55 of the 56 regular season games for the Stars, posting 8 goals and 19 assists, with a -9 plus/minus in an average of 24:58 on ice. Heiskanen has played just 3 seasons, and has 28 goals and 67 assists, with a -9 plus/minus in 23:50 average ice time, in 205 games, all with the Stars.
Heiskanen was selected by the Stars with the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft. In the bubble playoffs last season, he started a hot streak that led into this season and his extension, scoring 26 points in 27 games, the 4th most by a defensemen in the playoffs in NHL history. Heiskanen was a pending RFA.
Asked about signing in Dallas long term, Heiskanen said "It feels great to get this done. Of course there is a lot of work to be done and we're very motivated to get back on the ice. It is very exciting to be a part of what Jim and his staff are building, and it's important to reward them for the trust they've shown with this long-term commitment."
The protected lists for the Seattle expansion draft were released this morning, and, as expected, Heiskanen is one of 3 defensemen protected by the Stars. John Klingberg and Esa Lindell are the other two protected, with Anton Khudobin being the goalie protected, with Ben Bishop exposed.
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