Dallas Stars

Stars and Khudobin Working to Get Goaltender Re-Signed, Deal Close

The Dallas Stars have informed goaltender Anton Khudobin that they’d like to re-sign him to an NHL contract. How does he feel about staying?

by
NHL Trade Talk
October 2, 2020

As per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun (subscription required), Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill is going to try and keep goaltender Anton Khudobin from hitting the free agent market on October 9th. According to sources, Nill reached out to Khudobin’s agent, Kent Hughes, and relayed the team’s desire to re-sign the 34-year-old pending UFA. It makes sense considering the uncertainty surrounding Beb Bishop’s injury history and with how well Khudobin played during this season’s playoffs and the Stars run to the Stanley Cup Final.

The feeling is apparently mututal. Hughes told The Athletic, “We plan to speak with Jim and will try to make it happen.”

The Stars have informed Anton Khubodin's camp they want to keep him around. Easier said than done, of course. That plus another whirl around the NHL goalie carousel one week before free agency in my weekend Rumblings:https://t.co/vus1DatmJt
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 2, 2020

LeBrun also notes that this interest in keeping Khudobin is not a sign that the Stars will now look to move Ben Bishop (who has three more years at a $4.91-million AAV). The Stars plan is to keep a top-notch goalie tandem and if the team needs to make room salary wise to fit both, they’ll do so in other ways. Speculation on Thursday was to expect some moves coming out of Dallas and potentially someone surprising who has trade protection.

What Is Khudobin Worth and How Does It Fit?

Speculation is that Khudobin will be worth somewhere between $3.75 million to $4 million per year on a new deal. Bishop is already making close to $5 million. Unfortunately, the Stars also need to re-sign RFAs Radek Faksa, Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov this offseason. Needless to say, it’s going to require a little dancing to make it all work.

During the playoff run, Nill was asked about Khudobin’s play and he’d said something to the effect of, ‘I’d really wished I’d signed him to a five-year deal now.’ It looks like maybe the Stars will get to correct that mistake.