Stars make future plans clear, sign Kari Lehtonen to $10.65 million extension

05:44 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 11, 2010

By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
mheika@dallasnews.com

The Stars Tuesday put their faith in goalie Kari Lehtonen.

Announcing the two sides had agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension worth $10.65 million, the Stars made a clear statement that the 26-year-old netminder is the future of the team.

"We made the trade for Kari knowing full well what his potential was, and I thought he did a great job of showing us glimpses of that potential this year," said Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. "Now, we’re prepared to move forward with him as our main goalie."

Lehtonen is expected to sign the contract on Wednesday.

Lehtonen was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers in February and, after a few rough outings, went 6-3-0 down the stretch with a 2.44 GAA and .926 save percentage. He was coming off of two off-season back surgeries and had lost the No. 1 job in Atlanta, but he provided the budget-conscious Stars the opportunity to acquire a player with No. 1 talent.

Lehtonen was taken second overall in the 2002 entry draft and has a 100-87-17 record in parts of six NHL seasons. He has a career 2.87 GAA and a .912 save percentage. He has been sidelined by back, groin and ankle injuries in that span.

"I definitely think if we can get Kari on a strong workout program and get him consistently healthy, we’ll see a very strong goalie," Nieuwendyk said. "We’re counting on that."

So much so that the Stars announced after the season that they do not intend to pursue Marty Turco, who will leave the team as an unrestricted free agent this summer after setting most of the franchise records for goaltending. Dallas also has two unrestricted free agents in minor leaguers Brent Krahn and Matt Climie, and could sign either or both of them to return as potential backups to Lehtonen. They also have control of young prospects Richard Bachman and Tyler Beskorowany, and could also pursue a veteran free agent as a potential backup goalie.

"I definitely think there are options for a backup," Nieuwendyk said. "Getting Kari done on a multi-year deal was our first concern."

The Stars are battling financial issues, and are currently up for sale. Nieuwendyk said he is working under the assumption the team will be on the same $45 million budget for next season, and the contract reflects that. Lehtonen, who was due a $3 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, will actually make less than that next season at $2.7 million. The contract will then go up to $3.7 million in 2011-12 and $4.25 million in 2012-13.

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