The Dallas Stars have officially confirmed the signing of their captain, Jamie Benn, to a one-year contract that is designed to be bonus-heavy. The deal is set at $1 million but has the potential to reach $4 million based on performance bonuses. Benn will earn specific bonuses for appearing in 20, 30, 50, and 60 games, along with additional bonuses for victories in the Western Conference Final and the Stanley Cup Final.
This contract will reduce the Stars’ salary cap space to under $1 million as they enter the offseason, which means it is unlikely that Dallas will retain players acquired during the trade deadline, such as Mikael Granlund, Cody Ceci, or Evgenii Dadonov. However, there was little expectation that the team would pursue extensions for these players. General Manager Jim Nill’s judicious moves have ensured that the core of the team is back for the upcoming season.
While Benn’s scoring output has seen a noticeable decline—dropping from an impressive near point-per-game average to 60 points in 2023-24 and 49 points in 2024-25—he remains a vital leader within the Stars’ locker room and still contributes as a valuable secondary scorer. Although his foot speed has also decreased, he has transitioned well into a more defensively oriented role. For the first time since the 2021-22 season, Benn was deployed more in the defensive zone than the offensive zone, achieving a remarkable 90.6% on-ice save percentage at even strength.
With the structure of his new contract allowing for bonuses mostly deferring to the 2026-27 salary cap, which is anticipated to rise to $104 million, the signing appears to be favorable for the Stars. If Benn continues to showcase his defensive strength, this deal could prove to be a significant asset for the team in the coming seasons. His leadership and experience will undoubtedly be key as the Stars aim for future postseason success.