Stars Captain Jamie Benn Makes Intentions Clear on Testing Free Agency
Stars Captain Jamie Benn Makes Intentions Clear on Testing Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Jamie Benn made his offseason plans known as the Dallas Stars cleared out their lockers following another Western Conference Final exit.
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The 35-year-old captain, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said on Saturday that he intends to keep playing next season and wants to remain with the only NHL team he's ever known.
"I'm going into the summer planning on playing next year," Benn said. "Prepare like I do every summer like I'm going to play."
The veteran forward added he has no interest in testing the open market, hoping to reach a deal with the Stars through June.
"I don't see myself going anywhere else," Benn said. "This is all I know. Hopefully we can figure something out."
Benn just completed the eight-year, $76 million contract he signed back in July 2016.
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He has spent 16 seasons in Dallas since being drafted in 2007, becoming the longest-serving captain in franchise history and ranking second all-time in goals, points, and games played for the franchise.
Benn had a subpar season this year, scoring 49 points in 80 regular-season games. He also had a down postseason, notching just three points in 18 playoff games after scoring 15 in 19 games last year.
Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome.Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Stars owner Tom Gaglardi confirmed there's mutual interest between the franchise and Benn's return to Dallas in an interview with The Dallas Morning News' Lia Assimakopoulos.
"I think we want Jamie, and Jamie wants to be here, and it's pretty clear he can still play," Gaglardi said. "With Jamie, there's just been really no talk about a future deal (as of April 21). The two parties are gonna sit down, and Jamie's going to decide if he wants to play and how much longer.
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"I don't think it's going to be a difficult, contentious process. We love him, and he loves us, so I think if he's playing hockey, it's going to be as a Dallas Star."
The Stars are projected to enter the offseason with just under $5 million in cap space, per PuckPedia.
Related: Stars' Peter DeBoer Facing Backlash After Throwing Jake Oettinger Under the Bus
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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