Busy Stars give Johnston new 5-year extension
Written by I Dig Sports
The Dallas Stars have signed center Wyatt Johnston to a five-year extension following their blockbuster acquisition of winger Mikko Rantanen earlier Friday.
Johnston, 21, inked a five-year deal worth $8.4 million against the salary cap through 2030, when he'll become an unrestricted free agent. Both Johnston and Rantanen are represented by agent Andy Scott of Octagon. Rantanen signed an eight-year contract extension with the Stars after being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday.
Johnston is in his third NHL season. He has 79 goals and 86 assists in 226 career games, including 23 goals and 36 assists in 62 games this season. He has been strong for the Stars in the postseason, too, with 14 goals and 8 assists in 38 games.
Rantanen agreed to an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $12 million ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline.
Following the acquisition of Rantanen, the Stars became the co-favorite to win the Stanley Cup at ESPN BET, moving from +700 to +600. The Florida Panthers also moved to +600 (from +750) to win the championship this year after landing Brad Marchand in a deal with the Boston Bruins. The Edmonton Oilers (+700) had previously been the Stanley Cup favorites.