The Dallas Stars locked up a major part of their present-day and future plans Thursday by signing a crucial team member to an eight-year, $66-million contract extension.

Stars No. 1 goalie Jake Oettinger agreed to an eight-year, $66-million contract extension, the team announced early Thursday. The 25-year-old netminder is earning $4-million in the final year of his current contract this season, but his new contract extension, which begins next year, ratchets up his average annual salary to $8.25 million. That puts him slightly behind star defenseman Miro Heiskanen ($8.45 million per year), as well as captain Jamie Benn ($9.5 million) and star center Tyler Seguin ($9.85 million), which makes this Oettinger contract a coup for Dallas GM Jim Nill.

"Jake has established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL,” Nill said in a press release announcing Oettinger's new contract. “His unique blend of poise, size, athleticism, and mental toughness has helped our team reach new heights since he’s taken over the net. He is an integral part of our core that will allow us to contend for the Stanley Cup this season, but also for many years to come. Off the ice, Jake is a leader in our team’s community efforts and is always willing to give his time and resources. I’m pleased that Jake and his wife Kennedi will be part of our family for many years to come.”

Like the rest of his teammates, Oettinger has gotten off to a terrific start to the season, posting a 3-0-0 record, 1.63 goals-against average, 948 save percentage and one shutout in three appearances. He's been everything the Stars could've hoped for since they drafted him 26th overall in 2017. He was scheduled to be a restricted free agent next summer, but this new contract locks him down for the maximum-allowable contract term, and in short order, his new deal will be a bargain.

The Stars can't thrive unless Oettinger is thriving along with them, and this deal proves Nill's intent on showing Oettinger how crucial he is to their overall success has been received welll by Oettinger.

The goalie market in the league is a volatile one, with superstars like the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin aiming to set the bar high when he gets a new deal starting next season. But Oettinger has demonstrated he's not all about getting maximum money from his employer -- and because of that selflessness, he's going to be a fixture on the Stars' back end for a very long time to come.

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