The Dallas Stars are one step closer to clearing their 2018 free agent class. They signed qualified RFA Mattias Janmark to a new deal on Wednesday morning and once again avoided arbitration.
General manager Jim Nill and the Dallas Stars took another step forward in avoiding arbitration altogether this offseason.
On Wednesday morning, the Stars announced that they reached an agreement with forward Mattias Janmark. The new contract, which is for one year and carries an AAV of $2.3 million, leaves Gemel Smith as the only Dallas free agent yet to sign a new contract. Though Smith is a qualified restricted free agent, his arbitration hearing is scheduled for August 1.
But as we’ve seen with Devin Shore and now with Janmark, the Stars will likely work persistently in getting a new deal done and overstepping arbitration for a sixth straight summer in the Nill era. The Janmark deal is simply another move in the right direction.
“Mattias is a strong and versatile player who always makes his presence felt when he is on the ice,” said Nill in the press release. “His intelligence and determination have built the foundation of a tremendous, young player, and we are thrilled to have him returning as a member of the Stars.”
Oil On Whyte
Janmark’s story is an interesting one. After coming to Dallas through a trade with the Detroit Red Wings in March 2015, he quickly set himself up for the jump to the NHL. Janmark made his NHL debut on opening night in October 2016 with Dallas and scored his first goal during his first shift. The rest is, well, quite the storyline.
He had a breakout year with the Stars during his rookie season, scoring 15 goals and tallying 29 points in 73 games. Janmark carried the momentum into the 2016 postseason, where he scored two goals and tallied five points in 12 games.
But in September of 2016, his career took an unexpected detour. It was discovered that Janmark suffered from a rare condition called osteochondritis dissecans that affects the bone cartilage in the knee. He underwent surgery to repair the issue and missed the entire 2016-17 campaign while recovering.
Following the surgery, Janmark was given an 80 percent chance at playing NHL hockey again. And after an extensive rehab period, he signed a one-year deal with Dallas in April of 2017 for $700,000 (which makes this new deal a substantial jump up) and was ready for game one of the 2017-18 season.
No one knew quite what to expect from the 25-year-old forward, but he picked up where he left off and didn’t miss a beat.
Janmark’s 2017-18 season saw him set new career highs in goals (19) and points (34), along with total games played (81). His durability didn’t seem hindered in the slightest and he once again reached new heights in his production.
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He’s a young and developing asset that can play at high levels on offense and on special teams. Janmark is growing into an everyday NHL player and could very well be a full-time member of the second line this season. But considering how well he does scaling the lineup and playing with a variety of forwards, the Stars also have the option to make him flexible.
And that’s why this contract is so important. Janmark extinguished all doubt with an impressive second season at the NHL level and even earned a nomination for the Masterton Trophy with his performance. In addition, he also played for Team Sweden at the World Championships and kept his hot streak alive as the Swedes claimed gold.
The term on the contract is interesting, though. After a strong first two years with the club and considering his age and ceiling, it’s a bit unusual that the Dallas Stars only signed him for another year. But it’s likely serving as a chance for Janmark to further prove himself to the organization, potentially as a capable and talented scoring option for their top six down the road. If he can fill a big role once again, that could prompt the Stars to lock him down for a longer term.
In comparison, this contract carries the same AAV as Devin Shore’s new deal with the team.
Mattias Janmark is a confident and skilled forward that can play anywhere in the lineup and in various situations. He carries a lot of potential (especially considering even a career-threatening knee injury cannot hold him back) and could be a long-term piece for the Dallas Stars. It will all depend on what doors this year opens for him and if he can make new strides.
Next: What To Keep An Eye Out For In Rest Of Stars' Offseason
The Dallas Stars’ remaining cap space roughly sits around $6,070,001 with one RFA to go.