Stars sign Nils Lundkvist to two-year contract extension

The 25-year-old defenseman will remain with the team through the 2027-28 season.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of green, black, and white representing the Dallas Stars' uniform colors.The Stars' contract extension with defenseman Nils Lundkvist solidifies their blue line with a skilled puck-mover who can contribute at both ends of the ice.Dallas Today

The Dallas Stars announced on Friday that they have signed defenseman Nils Lundkvist to a two-year, $3.5 million contract extension. The deal will pay Lundkvist an annual salary of $1.75 million and will keep him with the team through the 2027-28 season.

Why it matters

Lundkvist has emerged as a valuable two-way defenseman for the Stars, providing offensive production and solid defensive play. Locking him up for two more years helps solidify the team's blue line as they look to build on their strong 2025-26 season.

The details

The 25-year-old Lundkvist recorded 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 52 games for the Stars last season, averaging 16:29 of ice time. In his five-year NHL career, he has 12 goals and 43 assists for 55 points in 235 regular-season games. Lundkvist was originally drafted in the first round by the New York Rangers in 2018 before being traded to the Stars in 2022.

  • The contract extension will begin next season and run through the 2027-28 campaign.

The players

Nils Lundkvist

A 25-year-old defenseman who was drafted in the first round by the New York Rangers in 2018 and has played the last three seasons with the Dallas Stars.

Jim Nill

The general manager of the Dallas Stars, who praised Lundkvist's puck-moving ability and offensive production.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to lock up Nils for two more years. He is a highly skilled defenseman with excellent mobility and vision. His ability to move the puck and create offense makes him a valuable piece for our team moving forward.”

— Jim Nill, General Manager, Dallas Stars

The takeaway

The Stars' decision to extend Nils Lundkvist's contract demonstrates their commitment to building a well-rounded defensive corps that can contribute at both ends of the ice. Lundkvist's blend of offensive skill and defensive responsibility makes him an important part of the team's long-term plans as they aim to build on their strong 2025-26 season.