The Dallas Stars are not settling on just trading for Mikko Rantanen today, as they are currently completing a five-year, $42 million contract extension for Wyatt Johnston with an average annual value of $8.4 million.

We knew Johnston would extend for a big number, but many also believed it would be an eight-year extension this summer, as the 21-year-old was set to become a restricted free agent. Yes, Johnston is still 21.

Johnston has played himself into a big contract. With Rantanen and Johnston sharing the same agent, it made sense to try to get this done on the same day.

For the Stars, they get their likely future captain locked up for five more years. For Johnston, you get security, a big sum of cash, and the chance to get yet another big extension in five seasons when the cap is significantly higher.

“No, you know what? He’s been around so long now, he does feel like an old grizzled veteran,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said Thursday. “But you know, he’s still a young kid, like you don’t even realize it. But he’s playing at such a high level right now.” 

Johnston is third on the team with 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 62 games this season. He is sixth in the NHL with 34 points since Jan. 1.

The Ontario native has 165 points (79 goals, 86 assists) in 226 regular-season games and 22 points in 38 Stanley Cup Playoff games.