Joe Pavelski Reportedly Expected to Sign 3-Year Deal With Stars

NHL free agency kicks off on Monday morning, but you can officially cross one veteran free agent off the board a bit early.

According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Dallas Stars are expected to sign longtime San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski to a three-year contract worth up to $21 million.

Pavelski had met with the Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning over the past couple of days, but it appears Dallas left a lasting impression on him. That, and a $7 million annual salary with no state income tax helps.

The 34-year-old forward has been with the Sharks organization ever since the team selected him with the 205th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In his 13-year run with the Sharks, Pavelski logged 355 goals and 406 assists in 963 games. This past season, he scored 38 goals, while posting a total of 64 points.

Pavelski's days in San Jose were numbered, as they were strapped for money after giving Erik Karlsson a massive eight-year contract. They have young pending free agents in Timo Meier, Joonas Donskoi, and Kevin Labanc to lock into new deals as well.

Now, he will move onto a Dallas Stars team who was one win and one goal away from reaching the Western Conference Finals.