The Dallas Stars have built a Stanley Cup contender by making several smart roster moves over the last few years, and they just locked up their most important player and captain to a massive contract extension.
First-line winger Jamie Benn has signed an eight-year, $76 million deal, the Stars announced Friday. The extension kicks in after his current contract ends after next season.
“In the end, Jamie wants to be here,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a press release. “We want him here. The important thing is he wanted to make sure it was a winning franchise while he is here and we talked about the game plan. He bought into it. It worked out well for all parties.”
Benn has become one of the very best players in the game, blending elite-level skill with a physical style of play.
He tallied 89 points (41 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games last season, and he won the scoring title the season before with 87 points in 82 games.
Dallas finished the 2015-16 regular season with the Western Conference’s best record at 50-23-9. The Stars lost in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in a seven-game series against the St. Louis Blues.
Thumbnail photo via John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports Images
