The Dallas Stars have signed captain Jamie Benn to an eight-year extension worth $76 million, the team announced Friday.
Benn, 26, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but both sides were confident that the 2014-15 Art Ross Trophy winner would not hit the open market.
“Going into the last year of your contract, you don’t want it to be a distraction for your team,” Benn told reporters back in May.
The new contract will kick in at the start of the 2017-18 season, and will see him in Dallas through the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
“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 finished in second place in NHL scoring in 2015-16, setting career-highs in goals (41) and points (89) and earning himself a spot among the league’s Hart Trophy finalists for the first time. He has totalled 192 goals and 448 points in 508 career regular season games, and has served as the team’s captain since the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
“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.”
News of the signing comes on the same day the team announced that Benn underwent successful surgery to repair a core muscle injury.
Benn will require a recovery time of six weeks, which puts his participation in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey in doubt. (The Victoria, B.C., native was among the first 16 players named to Team Canada’s roster for the event.)
July 15, 2016
Dallas Stars
