New contracts for key defensemen are on the to-do list for GM Jim Nill

The near-reaching implications of contract negotiations with John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen aren't that daunting.

There's a really good chance the two blueline leaders are back on the Stars next season and each logging 20-plus minutes a game.
The far-reaching implications? Well, that's a little trickier.
Heiskanen is finishing up the third year of his entry-level contract and can become a restricted free agent on July 28. While other teams could sign Heiskanen to an offer sheet, the Stars would have the ability to match that offer. In today's NHL, the offer sheet is very rare, and most teams work things out with their young superstars.
That's what's expected to happen with Heiskanen, 21, who's only real question is whether he signs a maximum-length eight-year deal or a shorter "bridge" contract that's closer to three years. The Stars already are in discussions with Heiskanen's representatives, and an extension will definitely get hashed out before training camp begins next September.

Klingberg's contract could be a little more difficult. One, the 28-year-old has another year remaining and could become an unrestricted free agent after next season. Two, Klingberg has been a bargain for seven seasons at $4.25 million cap hit and would probably like a nice raise. And three, the Stars have to weigh that big raise against the fact that Klingberg will be 30 when that new contract begins.
So while the two sides can start negotiations this summer, the talks might not go anywhere.
"This process doesn't happen overnight, it takes time," said Stars general manager Jim Nill. "They're going to want to see what the market is, we're going to want to see what the market is, and we're just going to have to walk through it. John does have a year left, so there is little less urgency there, but still he's a big part of our team."
Nill, in fact, called Klingberg a core player on the Stars. Since he joined the team in 2014, Klingberg has played more minutes than any teammate and is third in scoring behind Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. He leads the team in SAT (shot attempt differential at even strength) at plus-830. Benn is second at plus-498.
"When I talk about the core of our team, John is one of those members," Nill said. "He's been a Dallas Star from Day One, he's a big part of our franchise and he is a top-level defenseman in the NHL."

The question is can they fit all the top-level defensemen together on the same team. Esa Lindell just finished the second year of a six-year deal that has a cap hit of $5.8 million. Heiskanen was the third overall pick in 2017 and he could be looking at a huge salary going forward.
If he chooses to sign a shorter deal, the cap hit will likely be a little lower. If the Stars want to ink him to an eight-year deal, they must pay a premium for buying out key UFA years. That's always a question with younger superstars, but it's especially challenging after the pandemic. The league bases its salary cap on league revenue, which took a huge hit this season.
That's resulted in a "flat cap," meaning teams are going to have to scrimp on new deals and players might want to wait for a few years to try to hit it big.
"I've had discussions with his representatives," Nill said. "On their end, they have to figure out…we have a flat cap, is this cap going to be flat for the next three, four, five years? We know businesses have been hit hard and sports businesses have been hit hard. We know there is a flat cap, how long does it stay flat? We don't know. From their point of view, are they better off to do a short-term contract hoping that revenues are going to grow? If we talk a lot about a long-term deal? What that's number? There's a lot of unknowns.
"From our end, we have to sit down and we're trying to project the same thing," added Nill. "What number works for both parties? We're open to both ways. The short-term, we're comfortable and I think they are, too. If it's long term, what's the number long-term? We'll just have to walk through this."
On the good side, it looks like both players want to work things out.
Klingberg said he wants to take some time to spend with his family before he even thinks about the contract. He has a year to decide, so there's no rush.

"It's something that I think about, obviously, for sure," Klingberg said. "I'll sit down with Jim and my agent and we'll see where we're at. It's a little emotional, for sure. I can't really control what happens with the COVID world right now, flat cap and all of that. It's different times. Ever since I came in the league, I've been a Dallas Star, and that's what I want to be, but it also has to be the right fit for me and my family and for the organization. Take it day by day here and then see where we're at."
Heiskanen has a similar mindset.

"We had lots of games and I was focusing on them," he said. "I haven't thought a lot about my contract, but I have time to think about it now. We'll see. We'll see what happens."
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.