Stars lock up Nils Lundkvist, securing key defensive depth and a consistent pairing for two more years. A bright future ahead.
On Friday, the Dallas Stars have secured a piece of their defensive depth, signing blueliner Nils Lundkvist to a two year contract extension carrying a $1.75 million cap hit. The deal caps off a memorable week for the 25-year-old, who also welcomed the birth of his first child.
Originally selected 28th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2018 NHL Draft, Lundkvist struggled to find his footing in New York. He appeared in just 25 games during the 2021 to 2022 season and was unable to secure a consistent role with the team.
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The Stars took a chance on the Swedish defenseman the following year, acquiring him in a trade that sent a conditional first round pick in 2023 and a conditional fourth round pick in 2025 to New York. Since arriving in Dallas, Lundkvist has steadily developed into a reliable and versatile presence on the blue line.
Capable of moving up the lineup when needed or settling into a depth role, Lundkvist has provided flexibility for the Stars coaching staff. For much of this season, he has skated alongside Thomas Harley, forming an effective pairing. The duo has logged over 541 minutes together, recording 27 goals for while allowing just 17 against, according to MoneyPuck.
Lundkvist’s steady play has helped solidify Dallas’ defensive group, and this extension ensures that stability will remain in place for the next two seasons.
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