DALLAS (105.3 The Fan/AP) - The hero of the Dallas Stars Stanley Cup run is coming back.
Netminder Anton Khudobin agreed to a three-year, $10 million salary to remain in Dallas.
The 34-year-old goaltender led the NHL with a .930 save percentage during the regular season and carried the banged-up Stars to the Cup Final in the Edmonton bubble with a .917 and 2.69 goals-against average playoffs.
Salary cap-strapped Dallas circled back to Khudobin after he tested the market in free agency.
“Anton’s play over the past two seasons has been nothing short of exceptional,” GM Jim Nill. “The immense skill and unmatched work ethic we’ve known Anton possess were on display for the entire hockey world to see during the Stanley Cup playoffs. His impact on our team has been immeasurable and we’re excited for Anton to continue his success with the Stars.”
Khudobin will continue to get time in between the pipes, as will Ben Bishop.
Bishop didn’t play after the first round against Colorado because he never fully recovered from a previously undisclosed knee surgery in May, a procedure that was delayed because the early stages of the pandemic limited hospital access. Bishop has three years left on his $29.5 million, six-year contract.
As for Khudobin's injury, he had surgery Wednesday to address a nerve issue that was causing numbness in his stick hand. Nill says he'll be fine in four to five weeks.