There are many annual traditions in the summertime. Such as trips to the beach, cookouts, and NHL top ten rankings. For one of many top tens the league does, today we will be talking about Dallas Stars’ goalie Jake Oettinger cracking the top ten goaltending list.
Number 9 in the NHL
On September fourth, the NHL Network compiled their list of preseason top ten goalies. Coming in at number nine, heading into his third NHL season is Jake Oettinger. Otter was impressive as he established himself as the number one netminder in Dallas after starting the season with the American Hockey League affiliate, Texas Stars. Fellow NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk also talked about Otter with NHL Network. Talking about his skill set, and what is to come.
“When things weren’t going right (in Dallas), he got his opportunity, he got his call,” Dubnyk said. “… He’s got all the tools. I don’t think anything is going to happen but him to continue to go up from here. There is no reason to think otherwise. He’s got everything you need. … That wasn’t a fluke (in the playoffs).”
Just getting started
Over this summer, the Stars locked up goaltender in Jake Oettinger with a three year deal. While the deal is short term, the signing makes both parties involved happy. Oettinger wants to stay in Dallas, and it is a team friendly deal in terms of the budget and salary cap. Stars’ general manager Jim Nill is happy with the team keeping their number one netminder.
“Jake’s performance spoke for itself last season,” Nill said in a statement. “He has elite physical ability and presence in the net, while also exhibiting phenomenal mental strength in high pressure situations. Jake’s poise and character off the ice have made him a leader in our locker room. He has shown that he has the skill, work ethic and poise to excel at the NHL level. He was a key part of the team’s success last season, and we’re excited to see him continue to grow here in Dallas.”
Top five potential in the future
Entering his third full NHL season, Jake Oettinger has shown promise to become one of the elite goaltenders. Follow ing last year’s sixty four save effort in a game seven loss to the Calgary Flames, Otter put the rest of the NHL on notice and he has plenty of time to climb the goaltending
Working around the salary cap
While Jake Oettinger was looking for a long term deal, he understood the business side of things. If Otter would have been able to sign to eight years, he said “. . .if I could have signed for eight years, I would have. . .”
Photo credit: Derek Leung/ Getty Images
While the Dallas Stars want to have Jake Oettinger as a franchise goalie going forward the team, and fans can now certainly be happy that he will be wearing victory green for the next three years. Go Stars!
Featured photo: LM Otero/AP
