Quick thoughts on Sam Steel's two-year contract extension
Sam Steel until 2028.
It’s official. Sam Steel is a Dallas Star until 2028. Earlier today Steel upgraded from $1.2 million in AAV to $2.1 million after this season for an extra two years.
Steel currently has four goals, and 13 assists for 17 points; on pace for 26. This is in keeping with Steel’s resume as an everyday NHLer. Despite his prolific junior career in the WHL, he never quite found his footing as a scorer in Anaheim once he finally made the professional jump, but despite that, he was able to reinvent himself as a role player. Since then, stops in Minnesota and Dallas have now solidified his new identity.
On the surface, there’s not much to say. Steel has been a very good bottom sixer. The kind of player Stars fans would have killed for during the Hitchcock/Bowness/Montgomery era when it seemed like the bottom sixers were being played like top sixers.
Under Pete DeBoer, Steel has been an everyday fourth liner. Except unlike fourth liners on other teams, Steel is more of a “third” line B. His average of 14 minutes a night is well above other teams who are merely splashing the bottom line at the edge of the canvas (Matt Rempe, for example, averages seven minutes a night despite being a broadcast talking point the entire night).
$2.1 million per year is not bad for what amounts to a middle six forward. When considering Steel’s shot impacts, he’s more sum than parts. His shift-to-shift offense is weak, but he’s solid defensively, is excellent on the PK, and draws penalties consistently.
What misgiving could there possible be?
Just one. To the extent that Steel has transitioned to more of a Radek Faksa-type player than the scorer he once was, it’s worth remembering that he really is just a Faksa clone at this point, as his offense of all types has continued taking steps back.
Steel’s a good player. And his value goes beyond simply what he contributes on the ice, as Sean has written about.
But Dallas’ fourth line is not like other fourth lines. Dallas’ fourth line is played like a secret layer of the top nine. That makes Steel more than just an energy forward. While I personally think offense is better lower in the lineup, it’s really just a nitpick.
What is a defensively responsible, hardnosed fourth liner worth in less of a flat cap world? Probably more. Which is why Jim Nill signing him for less makes this a tidy bit of business.
I know Cogliano is the quick and easy comp, but you gotta wonder how much of a late start Hyman type is capable of being crafted out of Steel.
27 & just entering his prime, not alot of space for radical change to his game, but plenty of time for fit and form within the lineup.
The legend of Kivi-Fucking-Ranta was built partially off being an unknown to opossing scouting departments and the ability to find "queit ice" as an exploit. Steel seems poised to do that professionally and not just as an exploit of a shifting peice in game plans, but as a defensively sound player who can find and create those quick quiet exploit points that our system is set up to make.
I don't see him reaching juniors level scoring prowess, but I could see him having a relatively similar impact too Hyman, with a more mature Stankoven or Bourque on the 3rd line.
It feels a little high but I don't hate it. I have to think Blackwell must be the odd man out now though. Back would be a fine scratch but he's cheaper and maybe has a little growth left.