Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars have signed goaltender Kari
Lehtonen to a five-year contract extension worth $29.5 million.
Lehtonen went 32-22-4 with a .922 save percentage, a 2.33 goals against
average and four shutouts in 59 games for the Stars last season.
"Kari Lehtonen has worked extremely hard in his time with the Dallas Stars to
establish himself as an elite goaltender in the NHL," said Stars general
manager Joe Nieuwendyk. "We believe that his best days as a goaltender are
ahead, and that his work ethic and leadership will help guide this team into a
perennial Stanley Cup contender."
Originally selected by the Atlanta Thrashers with the second overall pick in
the 2002 draft, Lehtonen has 166 wins in 344 career games, with a 2.71 GAA and
.914 save percentage.
The Sports Network