Dallas Stars Sign Nicklas Grossman To 2 Year, $3.25 Million Contract Extension

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Grossman extended on a two year deal worth a total of $3.25 million. $1.5 million in 2010-11; $1.75 in 2011-12

[Some quick thoughts from Brandon Worley]

Great news for the Dallas Stars and young Nik Grossman as he becomes the first of the Big Three RFA's to sign a contract.

Obviously, this is a bridge contract for a player that is still growing and learning and a team that isn't exactly capable of making much more of a long-term commitment at this moment to one of their defensemen. For Grossman, he gets paid and gets a nice little salary bump and two years to prove that the potential he showed this past season to be a top-pairing defenseman wasn't a fluke and cash in on a bigger deal in just a few seasons.

The Dallas Stars, on the other hand, were able to ink one of their young and promising players to a contract that is certainly below market value based on this past summer's free agent frenzy. While Grossman will never have the big numbers that go along with the monster contracts, he's developed into a solid and physical defenseman; the sort that every team wants.

This is also some great news for Stars fans as this proves that Joe Nieuwendyk is willing and able to sign his RFAs, despite the budget his operating under. This is also a great sign for those worried about James Neal slipping away; I highly doubt the Stars would sign Grossman or Niskanen first if they weren't sure they'd be signing Neal as well.

Press release after the jump.

Frisco, Tex. – Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the hockey club has agreed to terms with defenseman Nicklas Grossman on a two-year contract worth $3.25 million ($1.5 million in 2010-11; $1.75 in 2011-12). This extension puts Grossman under contract through the 2011-12 season.

"We are very happy to sign Nicklas to this new contract," said Nieuwendyk. "He is a solid NHL defenseman and is an important part of our young core." Grossman, 25, skated in 71 games for Dallas last season, collecting seven assists and 32 penalty minutes. He recorded 150 hits and 100 blocked shots in 2009-10. Grossman posted a career-high +5 rating Oct. 9, 2009 at Calgary.

The Stockholm, Sweden, native has appeared in 222 career NHL games, tallying 26 points (2g, 24a) and 109 penalty minutes. Grossman set new career highs in goals (2), assists (10) and points (12) in 2008-09. He also represented his country at the 2009 World Championships, helping Sweden win the bronze medal.