Dallas Stars: Tyler Seguin’s 2017-18 Play Earned Immediate New Contract
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars have a lot of objectives to complete this summer. But perhaps the biggest of them all is re-signing Tyler Seguin to a long-term extension. And after a stellar 2017-18 showing, it’s imperative that they get one done as soon as possible.
When you think of Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin, what comes to mind? There’s probably a lot.
A no. 1 center. Basically given to the Stars by the Boston Bruins in 2013. Jim Nill‘s first big acquisition as general manager. A franchise-altering forward that has yet to hit his prime. Insane shooting accuracy and power mixed with great puck-handling skills and speed. Hat trick extraordinaire and almost a point-per-game player since joining Dallas. One of the most skilled players in Dallas Stars history.
Anything else? There likely is, but that at least covers a good part of his impact. And it also covers just how valuable he is to the Stars’ future.
That’s where questions arise. Because on July 1, 2019, Tyler Seguin is set to become an unrestricted free agent. While that may still seem a long way off, the reality is that this is Seguin’s final offseason under contract.
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Considering the impact that he has on the team and organization as a whole, it would be crazy to not get a new contract done as soon as possible, right? On July 1, 2018, the Dallas management will get their first chance at negotiating a new deal with the 26-year-old. And from that point, the race is on.
This is just one of many tasks that the Dallas Stars will be faced with in the 2018 offseason. Negotiating and re-signing upcoming free agents, finding depth scoring, potentially searching for a new backup goaltender, and deciding the future of current players under contract have also made their way onto the checklist.
But re-signing Seguin is definitely a priority, with “the sooner, the better” being the ideal timeframe. Leaving Seguin to deliberate his future throughout the 2018-19 season and potentially carving a different path depending on next year’s results is not a good scenario to bet on.
When the doors to negotiation open on July 1, the Dallas Stars need to be pouring all of the time and effort possible into getting a deal done. After all, the guy earned it with his performance.
Tyler Seguin has always been a tremendous asset since joining the Stars in July 2013, but this past season was one for the books. And by books, I mean the record books.
Seguin became just the third player in Dallas Stars history to reach the 40-goal mark in 2017-18. He also tallied 78 total points, which is his highest points total since the 2013-14 season. A +12 rating, an extended role on the power play and newfound role on the penalty kill, more reliability and effort in the defensive zone, and the highest average ice time of his career (20:55) in 82 games is nothing short of brilliant.
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Not only was he arguably the Stars’ most productive and consistent forward, but he also turned into quite a vocal and visible leader on the team. Not to mention the tremendous impact he has on the community.
In five seasons with the Stars, Seguin has 384 points in 387 games. Those are impressive and almost unbelievable numbers for a guy that has yet to hit the prime of his career. And with his game truly “evolving”, as Seguin put it, throughout the 2017-18 regular season, the timeliness of getting a deal done is all the more important.
And from what Seguin has said on the potential of a new contract with Dallas, it seems as though he’s ready for July 1 to get here. While he hadn’t spent much time laboring on the idea during the home stretch of the season, his feelings towards the team and city are sympathetic.
“Honestly, I haven’t given it much thought and there hasn’t been much talk at all,” Seguin said on exit interview day. “It’s been so much of living in the now and trying to make the playoffs and win here in Dallas. But obviously, this is the place I call home.”
And from Jim Nill’s side, he seems confident that things will move quickly in the right direction.
“We can talk to him, so I’ll be talking to Tyler and his representatives,” Nill said on exit interview day. “I hope by July 1 we are going to know where it’s at. If something doesn’t happen July 1, I don’t want any panic out there. I’m banking on getting something done. I’m pretty confident that we will get something done.”
That’s good news, at least on the surface.
The point is that Tyler Seguin is a gem on the Stars roster and Dallas needs to keep him locked down at all costs. Leaving him to enter the 2018-19 season as a player bound for UFA status is asking for disaster. The Islanders are frantically trying to get their superstar captain John Tavares signed before July 1, but another failed season by the team that ended short of the playoffs may have them in a tight spot.
Seguin’s 2017-18 season was spectacular. He did everything that was asked of him and then some and took on a variety of new roles. It’s hard to put his value into words, and that’s just what makes him so valuable. His play in the top six provides plenty of potential for the future of the Stars.
Next: Grading Each Stars Player On Their 2017-18 Performance
The Dallas Stars have a lot of priorities to delve through this offseason. But signing Seguin to a long-term contract extension might just top the list. So with July 1 on the horizon, it’s time for the front office to get rolling.