Joe Nieuwendyk returned from a knee injury to have a stellar 1998-99 season.

Nieuwendyk, who would've been a free agent after this season, had rejected an offer over the summer. The night of the season opener, Stars general manager Bob Gainey said negotiations with Nieuwendyk would be tabled until next summer.

"We are very pleased to have Joe under contract," Gainey said. "We look forward to his contributions."

Nieuwendyk, 33, centers Dallas' second line, playing behind a unit headed by Mike Modano and Brett Hull. Nieuwendyk, a clutch scorer, is known for his wizardry on faceoffs, having led the NHL last season after being second the previous year.

Nieuwendyk led the Stars in goals (39) and points (69) in 1997-98, then suffered a severe knee injury early in the playoffs. His absence was felt when the Stars were eliminated in the Western Conference finals.

He returned last season to score 28 goals and 27 assists, then came up huge in the postseason with 11 goals, 10 assists and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. His record-tying six game-winning goals in the playoffs helped lead Dallas to its first NHL championship.

The four-time All-Star was the rookie of the year in 1988 and played for Canada in the Olympics last year. He is ninth among active players with 426 career goals.

Dallas acquired Nieuwendyk from Calgary in December 1995.