Stars sign forward Oskar Back to two-year, $1.65 million contract extension

The Dallas Stars announced Thursday they agreed to terms with forward Oskar Back to a two-year, $1.65 million contract extension that will keep Back with the club through the 2026-27 season. The deal will pay him an average annual value (AAV) of $825,000.

The 24-year-old Back made his NHL debut in the Stars’ regular-season opening game against the Nashville Predators Oct. 10, then scored his first career goal Nov. 14 against the Boston Bruins.

Through 31 games, Back has a goal and eight assists for nine points, averaging 11:17 of ice time per game. His nine points are tied for 14th among active rookies.

Back, taken by the Stars in the third round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, has spent the last three seasons with Dallas’ AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. In 196 regular-season AHL games, Back has 19 goals and 69 assists for 88 points. In 2023-24, he set career highs in assists (29) and points (36).

In 17 career Calder Cup Playoff games, Back has four goals and six assists for 10 points.

Going into Thursday’s games, the Stars are 22-13-1 with 45 points, fourth in the Central Division and currently holding on to the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They’ve won two straight and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.

Forward Matt Duchene leads the team in points with 33, scoring 14 goals and adding 19 assists. Forward Roope Hintz leads the team with 16 goals, while teammate Jason Robertson is tied with Duchene with 19 assists.

Goaltender Jake Oettinger, who was named an All-Star in 2023-24, is 17-9-1 with a 2.38 goals against average (GAA) and a .909 save percentage (SV%) in 27 appearances this season.