The Dallas Stars have signed goaltender Kari Lehtonen to a five-year, $29.5 million contract extension.
Lehtonen, 28, concluded his eighth NHL season in 2011-12, earning a 32-22-4 record with a .922 save percentage, a 2.33 goals against average and four shutouts in 59 games.
"Kari Lehtonen has worked extremely hard in his time with the Dallas Stars to establish himself as an elite goaltender in the NHL," said Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. "We believe that his best days as a goaltender are ahead, and that his work ethic and leadership will help guide this teaminto a perennial Stanley Cup contender."
Lehtonen was the Atlanta Thrashers' first round selection (2nd overall) in 2002. He was acquired by Dallas from Atlanta in exchange for Ivan Vishnevskiy and the Stars' 2010 fourth-round pick on Feb. 9, 2010.
