Late August is usually the quietest time in the NHL world, but the Dallas Stars got into the late-summer news act Friday when they reached a contract extension agreement with center Cody Eakin.
The uber-reliable Mike Heika was the first with the news:
Stars have come to terms on contract extension for Cody Eakin. Four years at $3.85 million, according to source.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) August 28, 2015
The team made the signing official shortly after Heika’s report.
Eakin, who the Stars acquired when they sent Mike Ribeiro to the Washington Capitals, has 107 points in 237 NHL games, more than 200 of those in Dallas. He’s been primarily a third-line center in Dallas, though he has spent time playing up in the top six and on the power play. Most memorably, he was on the first line in the final game of last season and scored the goal that gave Jamie Benn the Art Ross Trophy with eight seconds remaining.
He will play this season in the final year of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.5 million. That contract was signed last training camp after a long restricted free agent negotiation session. The new contract will carry him until the 2019-20 season, when he will reach unrestricted free agency at the age of 29.
Here’s the official release from the Stars:
Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed center Cody Eakin to a four-year contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Eakin, 24, finished tied for fourth on the Stars in 2014-15 with 40 points (19-21=40) in 78 games played. He finished tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (6) and finished with career highs in goals, assists and points. His average of 1:57 of shorthanded time on ice per game was second amongst team forwards and he led the team with 1,292 faceoffs taken, winning 50.8%.
Following the season, he represented Canada at the World Championship, helping the team to a perfect 10-0 record and a gold medal finish. He appeared in nine of those contests, posting six points (4-2=6) and a +7 plus/minus rating.
In four NHL seasons with Washington and Dallas, he has produced 107 points (46-61=107) in 237 games played. He has appeared in six career playoff games, posting five points (2-3=5) and a +2 plus/minus rating.
“Cody is a well-rounded player and has the versatility to play in a number of roles,” said Nill. “He has the ability to shutdown opponent’s top players, win faceoffs and kill penalties, all while producing offensively. Cody has been an important part of our team and will continue to be a part of our core for the next five seasons.”
The 6-foot, 190-pound native of Winnipeg, Manitoba was acquired by Dallas along with a second round selection in the 2012 NHL Draft from Washington in exchange for center Mike Ribeiro on June 22, 2012. He was originally selected by Washington in the third round (85th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft.