Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn Signs 8-Year Extension

Apr 18, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) skates with the puck in the second period against the Minnesota Wild in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) skates with the puck in the second period against the Minnesota Wild in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn Signed an 8-Year $76 Million Dollar Extension ($9.5 Million/Year)

Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn signed an eight-year $76 million dollar ($9.5 million/year) extension late Friday night. Benn will be tied for the NHL’s fifth most expensive cap hit with Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin.

This news comes just days after it was announced that Jamie Benn underwent successful surgery for a core muscle injury. He’s expected to be out roughly six weeks, and will miss the World Cup of Hockey, but he should be ready to go when training camp rolls around.

Only Jonathan Toews/Patrick Kane ($10.5 million/year), Anze Kopitar ($10 million/year), and Alex Ovechkin ($9.538 million/year) will be earning more than Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn at the start of 2017-18 (unless another major contract/extension is signed between then). 

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Perhaps learning from Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Stars captain made it clear to the media back in May that he had zero interest starting a new season without an extension in place.

Luckily for both sides, this would have been a fairly simple deal to hammer out.

Captain Jamie Benn has evolved into one of the NHL’s elite power forwards. He may not throw the body around with Ovie-like consistency, but the 6’2 210 pound winger makes his physical presence known. Not afraid to mix it up, or get into the dirty areas, Benn is a tough opponent to knock off the puck.

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“The Stars are the only organization I know and Dallas is home to me,” Benn said in a press release. “In working with the Gaglardi family and Jim Nill, they have made it clear that they are dedicated to winning, and winning the right way. I’m happy to commit to that process for eight more years. My teammates and I value the passion and dedication that we receive from Stars fans and we’re looking forward to getting this season started.”

Benn, who will be 27 years old on July 18th, is signed through the 2024-25 season. At that point, Jamie will be 35 years old. It’s still early, but at this point, no attached contract clause has been announced.

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“Jamie has evolved into one of the most complete players in the NHL and his ability to lead our team is second-to-none,” Nill said in the team’s press release.

“He impacts the game in so many ways and this signing was extremely important for the direction of the franchise. He’s shown in the playoffs, and at international events like the Olympics and the World Championship, that he is up to any challenge and that his fingerprints will be left on every game. He’s our leader and does things the right way, every day.”

Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn was originally selected 129th overall (5th round) back in 2007. It wasn’t until he transferred from the BCHL to the WHL that he put fans/scouts on notice. After helping lead Team Canada to a gold medal win with six points at the World Juniors in 2009, it became clear that Benn could be an impact NHLer.

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He has since played seven seasons with Dallas, racking up 192 goals (448 points) in 508 career NHL games. Benn also has 20 points in 19 postseason contests.

Since being named captain in 2013-14, Jamie Benn is a point per game player with two All-Star Game appearances and one Art Ross Trophy (most points).

Coming off a career-high 41 goals, 48 assists (89 points) in 2015-16, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have their sights set on becoming 100 point teammates.