3 Overreactions After One Month of the NHL Season

Jake Oettinger Deserves $10 Million Per Year

Forget about trying to win the Vezina Trophy, Jake Oettinger is attempting to earn a massive paycheck.

Yes, he did just sign an extension this past summer (for not nearly enough money, especially when compared to some other offseason deals), but this man is proving that he would be worth every cent of an insanely large contract.

Oettinger burst onto the scene last year in the playoffs when his otherworldly performance propelled the Dallas Stars to Game 7 in the first round.

The lack of support he got from his teammates was a big reason that I expected the Stars to watch the playoffs from their couch in 2023, but he might just be able to get them to the postseason all on his own.

So far this season, Oettinger has a 5-1 record with a 1.40 goals against average (GAA) and a .952 save percentage.

What’s crazy is that Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is staying neck and neck with Oettinger for the “best goalie in the Central Division” designation, as he too is keeping his team afloat with elite numbers.

Oettinger’s numbers are simply too impressive to be sustained throughout the season, and he has only played in seven games due to an injury, but he’s been unbelievably good for the Stars since last spring. He’s going to command a monster payday sooner rather than later.