Dallas Stars: Tyler Seguin Addresses Contract Negotiations With Team

The Dallas Stars are a little more than one month away from beginning their 2018-19 season and they have yet to accomplish their top offseason task. Tyler Seguin still needs a new contract, and things don’t look too promising as of right now.

The 2018 offseason offered the Dallas Stars a chance to right many of their inefficiencies. And after two straight seasons that ended early and without postseason action, there were plenty of issues to fix.

As the summer entered into full swing, GM Jim Nill and the organization got to work. They found a new head coach in Jim Montgomery, pulled out what they believed to be a successful draft class, and signed a handful of free agents to fill some of the holes in their roster.

They are also expected to call up top prospect Miro Heiskanen in time for the start of the season.

Everything looked to be falling into place nicely as Dallas aims to quickly build themselves back into contenders.

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But through all of the offseason hype, one priority in particular was sort of swept under the rug. And while it weighed heavy on the consciences of many Dallas Stars fans, it seemed to lose a bit of relevance as the rest of the offseason ramped up.

That priority is signing Tyler Seguin to a long-term extension and locking him up for the future. And yet, with only 37 days left before the start of the 2018-19 regular season, the Dallas Stars have yet to accomplish that goal. Seguin is still in need of a new contract considering he only has one year remaining on his current deal.

And he’s obviously not altogether happy about it. On Tuesday afternoon, he made that dissatisfaction known.

Seguin spoke to the media at the Biosteel Camp that he attends every year along with a handful of other NHL players. In his conversation in front of the cameras, he pointed out how he wasn’t necessarily expecting to be at camp in August still lacking a new deal and a certain future past the 2018-19 season.

“We haven’t been talking much this summer,” Seguin said. “It’s been a little disappointing. I thought I’d have some exciting news to talk about at Biosteel Camp, especially this late in the summer. It’s been disappointing, but at the end of the day I’ve always had one year left here. So I’m focused on that and focused on Biosteel Camp and I’m excited to get back to Dallas and look forward to a good year.”

This goes against the reports that surfaced a few weeks ago that Seguin and the Stars had been in consistent talks about an extension. Obviously, Seguin isn’t seeing things in the exact same light.

It’s disappointing to see a talented player like Seguin be left without a contract when his play seems to have rightfully earned one. He was listed as the ninth best center in the NHL this summer, hit the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career last season, and is an elite scorer that can play in just about any situation.

He’s a multidimensional talent and has proven his worth immensely over the past few seasons.

There’s no certainty as to what will happen over the next few weeks or even months. The only thing we know right now is that Seguin wants a deal, the two sides have reportedly talked at least in some fashion, and it seems as though Seguin wants to stay in Dallas. He’s called the city “home” on multiple occasions and has a great chance to continue being a cornerstone in the organization.

But when a superstar player makes his unhappiness known to the media, it’s a clear sign that something needs to change.

The Stars have time to do it, but need to act wisely in terms of how they continue this long and winding process. The team’s future could very well depend on it.