Stars Sign Daley to 6-Year Extension

It isn't just trades and waiver wire fun going on in the league these days, as the Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Trevor Daley to a new 6-year extension, reportedly worth $19.8 million, which works out to be a $3.3 million per season cap hit.  Daley was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July after finishing his last deal, which was a 3-year deal signed back in 2008.

Daley has been a solid defenseman in both directions for the Dallas Stars, consistently finishing with over 20 points a season and is currently on pace for another 24-point season, having already 11 points in 37 games for the Stars in the 2011 season.  Daley doesn't quite tear it up like most offensive defensemen, but at least he can give his team some solid minutes and the occasional point or two here and there.  This season, he currently has a +8 rating, which is currently higher than most years, but he has hovered closer to even most years, so his play must have improved for a better rating, especially with his teammates.

The Stars are quite cap responsible, but they have to be with the ownership issues that they are currently dealing with. For the 2012 season, where Daley's new contract extension kicks in, the Stars already have 16 regulars on the team at an annual cap cost of $37.7 million.  That number doesn't include half of Sean Avery's current contract, which was claimed off of re-entry waivers by the Rangers.  That would add another $2 million to the equation, which still isn't a very big chunk of change against the cap, but it probably doesn't help the bottom line at all.