Sam Steel Signs A One-Year Deal With Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars have announced they have signed Canadian forward Sam Steel on a one-year deal. The deal will run through season 2023-24 and is worth $850,000. The Sam Steel contract is low-risk for Dallas, and the forward lands a $25,000 pay increase from his last contract with the Minnesota Wild.
Per the team, Sam Steel's deal with #TexasHockey is 1 year x $850,000.@DailyFaceoff @CapFriendly
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023
Steel Inks New Contract
Steel started his career as a prized prospect and first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks. However, the forward spent a decent amount of games watching from the press box during his four seasons with the Ducks. After which, Steel signed a one-year deal with the Wild.
Steel again found himself in the press box after signing with the Wild. Nonetheless, he managed to improve in the 65 games he made the line-up. During his season with the Wild, Steel proved to be versatile. During the 2022-23 season, slotted in as a winger on the gritty fourth line and centred on the top line with superstar Kirill Kaprizov. Despite the infrequencies in the line-up, Steel registered 10 goals, 18 assists, a plus/minus rating of +11 and spurred on the Wild in the playoffs by scoring the first goal. It is likely that Steel’s versatility and determination are what attracted Dallas to a Sam Steel contract.
Dallas Builds On Forward Depth
Dallas already seems to have built an influx of forwards for next season. Already today, the franchise has signed forwards Matt Duchene and Craig Smith. With the Stars already having so many options, it might be beneficial to sign a cheap and flexible forward like Steel.
The Stars were defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the third round of the Stanely Cup playoffs. Looking to advance to the final round in next season’s playoffs, Dallas may be hoping to use Steel, a player who stepped up in last year’s playoffs. Thus, a Sam Steel Contract may be what the Stars need to continue their quest for the cup.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
