Ott signs four-year, $11.8 million extension
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
Steve Ott is staying put. Ott signed his name to a four -year $11.8 million contract extension Monday, assuring that he won't get moved before Wednesday's NHL trade deadline.
“I’m the happiest guy in the world right now,” Ott said following Monday's practice in Frisco. “I get to stay in a town I love. The town and the fans have been phenomenal to me. I can go down the list. My daughter was born here. I hope to continue after the four years as well. I am looking forward to the challenge.”
If there was no deal, Ott, who was scheduled to be a unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, could have been dealt by the Stars.
But now Ott, who is making $1.5 million this season, has landed a contract that will basically double his salary to $2.95 million per season
"It's been nerve-racking the last few months not know if the team is going to trade me. The commitment the team has shown me is a great feeling," Ott said. "I definitely believe in this team. We have some up and coming young guys and some great veterans. It's a very exciting time for myself and I am very excited to be able to stay here."
The 27-year-old Ott, the Stars first round pick in 2000, has played 389 career NHL games with the club, registering 51 goals and 85 assists for 136 points. He set career highs in goals (19), assists (27) and points (46) last season.
"He's a core guy in our group. He's very popular," said Stars coach Marc Crawford. "You don't find many players that play with the passion of Steve Ott. When you have one you certainly hate to lose him. I know Joe [Nieuwendyk] and Frank [Provenzano] worked very hard with Steve and his agent to find common ground and obviously they found it. I think it's very positive for us moving forward.
"He's the kind of guy that if you get in a playoff series he's going to be most effective. In those four-of-seven series if you're going to keep facing him he is kind of agitating like a hangnail or some other things you can think of that would be agitating or aggravating."
2010-11 salary/salary cap status
Here's a look at the Stars salary and salary cap status for 2010-11 season with Steve Ott now under contract. Ott's deal pays him $2.1 million the first year, $3.3 million the second year and $3.2 million in each of the last two years.
The Stars have just over 33 million in salary (not cap costs) to 13 players for next season. Those players include eight forwards, five defensemen and no goaltenders. The cap costs for those players, including the cost of the Sean Avery buyout, is $36.8 million.
The Stars' key restricted free agents are: G Kari Lehtonen, D Nicklas Grossman, D Matt Niskanen, LW James Neal, C Tom Wandell, RW Fabian Brunnstrom.
The team's key unrestricted free agents are: G Marty Turco, C Mike Modano, RW Jere Lehtinen, C Toby Petersen, RW Krys Barch
| Player | Pos | Salary | Cap Hit |
| Brad Richards | C | $7,800,000 | $7,800,000 |
| Mike Ribeiro | C | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Brenden Morrow | LW | $4,100,000 | $4,100,000 |
| Stephane Robidas | D | $3,250,000 | $3,300,000 |
| Loui Eriksson | RW | $3,200,000 | $4,266,667 |
| Trevor Daley | D | $2,500,000 | $2,300,000 |
| Steve Ott | C | $2,100,000 | $2,950,000 |
| Karlis Skrastins | D | $1,650,000 | $1,375,000 |
| Mark Fistric | D | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Brian Sutherby | LW | $850,000 | $812,500 |
| Jeff Woywitka | D | $700,000 | $650,000 |
| Jamie Benn | LW | $635,000 | $821,667 |
| Brandon Segal | RW | $550,000 | $550,000 |
| Totals | - | $33,335,000 | $36,863,334* |
| *Includes $1,937,500 cost Sean Avery | |||
