Sam Steel gets an extension for two more years in Dallas.
The Dallas Stars might be on a two-week break for the Four Nations Face-Off, but the time off has given Stars General Manager Jim Nill a little extra time to work out a two year contract extension for forward Sam Steel.
Steel re-signed for a year this offseason at $1.2 million after a brilliant campaign last season on the reliable fourth line. Steel's performance has once again earned him a raise, and he will now be set to earn $2.1 million the next two seasons.
"We are thrilled to extend Sam for the next two years,” Nill said. “His versatility on both ends of the ice have proven to be a huge asset for our team. He is a player that we can count on to make a positive impact and do the little things that lead to wins.”
The depth forward has found a home here in Dallas after starting his career in Anaheim and setting a career high in points during his time in Minnesota. Originally signed as a depth piece, Steel didn't earn a full time spot in the lineup for the first month of the 2023-24 season, but soon proved his value and earned a full-time spot next to Radek Faksa and Craig Smith. Steel became a top penalty killer and seamlessly moved up to a higher line when injuries made it necessary.
This year, Steel was the only remaining anchor of the fourth line, but he has spent time on almost every line with the rash of injuries throughout the roster. Now that all forwards other than Tyler Seguin are healthy, coupled with the addition of Mikael Granlund, Steel finds himself back on the fourth line. It means nothing but good things for the forward depth of Dallas moving forward, because he has proven to be a high-end fourth liner that any team would love to have in their bottom six.
Steel has 4 goals, 13 assists and 46 hits over 53 games this season, which puts him on pace to set a career high in assists. He has 134 points in 392 career games, including 7 points in the postseason.
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