Happy Friday, DBDers! Let’s head into this weekend with a “feel good” article.
As we continue to revel in locking up one of the best goaltenders in the NHL for the next eight years, Dallas Stars contributor Josh Clark had the opportunity to sit down with our franchise net-minder about all of the good fortune that has come his way over the past several months, from getting married to the recent contract extension:
It feels like you’ve got the world by the tail, right?
“When you put it that way, yeah,” Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger said with a smile on Tuesday morning in Buffalo. “I was talking to my wife about all that has happened to us in 2024 and you can’t even make it up if you wanted to. It’s insane.”…
It all began with Oettinger going on a 24-7-2 run to help the Stars close the 2023-24 regular season as Central Division champions. He then led the team through an arduous 19-game playoff run that ended two wins short of the Stanley Cup Final. Following the season’s wrap, he tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Kennedi. And if that wasn’t enough to fill the 2024 memory bank, he also signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension on October 17 that locks him in as the Stars’ starter for the prime of his career.
Despite his early career success, Oettinger remains motivated to take his skills to another level:
“It’s just a dream that I’ve even been able to play this many games in the NHL,” Oettinger said. “It’s something I don’t take for granted. It’s crazy because I feel like I still haven’t played close to my best hockey yet. I feel like my best is yet to come. I’m pretty proud to have played that many games already, and hopefully there’s a lot more in the future.”…
“It’s going great right now, but goaltending is the most humbling position in the world,” Oettinger said. “I know it’s game-by-game, so I’m just trying to keep doing what I’m doing well right now and still working on some stuff I need to get better at.”
You can read the rest of Josh’s one-on-one with the Otter here. [NHL]
Stars Stuff
Who would have thought nearly 31 years ago the Stars would be an international draw?!
EA Sports may be on to something here 🔮
Central Division News
This is a day old, but it is pretty wild how well they’ve been playing so far this season.
In other Central Division news, the Predators and Blackhawks face off tonight in Chicago to determine who will be in last place 🙃
The World of Chel
Our Dallas Stars sitting at #3. Three of the top five teams are in the Central Division (Jets & Wild. Yes, the Wild).
I know there are mixed opinions on this, but I think we can all agree these jerseys are 🔥.
Finally
Seguin and Benn’s relationship is second to none 😄