For the first time in his career, longtime Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn is heading for free agency. That said, Benn told reporters he intends to play next season — and plans to do so with the Stars, per Taylor Baird of NHL.com.
The Stars’ captain said, “I’m going into the summer planning on playing next year. I don’t see myself going anywhere else. This is all I know. Hopefully, we can figure something out.”
Benn has played all 1,192 of his games in Dallas. The soon-to-be 36-year-old ranks second only to franchise legend Mike Modano in several key categories, including games played, points, goals, and shots on goal. He also secured the franchise’s only Art Ross Trophy when he posted 87 points during the 2014-15 season.
This past season, Benn proved he can still contribute in a bottom-six role, finishing with a respectable 16 goals and 49 points. However, his production dipped in the postseason, where he managed just three points in 18 games.
Elsewhere with the Stars:
- GM Jim Nill confirmed that forward Roope Hintz sustained a foot fracture after being slashed by Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman Darnell Nurse in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, according to Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News. The injury kept Hintz out of Game 3, and while he was on the ice for Games 4 and 5, the injury limited the defensively responsible forward. The slash was originally called a major penalty; however, the referees later downgraded it to a minor, much to the frustration of coach Pete DeBoer. Nill also confirmed that defenseman Nils Lundkvist was recently cleared by his surgeon for full contact in practice. Lundkvist underwent shoulder surgery in February that was originally labeled as a season-ending procedure. However, DeBoer noted at the start of the playoffs that Lundkvist could have potentially returned if the Stars made a deep enough run. While Lundkvist ultimately wasn’t able to return, it appears he’ll have a clean bill of health heading into next season.
- DeBoer also noted that the coaching staff discussed potentially sitting goalie Jake Oettinger for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, citing his heavy playoff workload (more than any other goalie) and the fact that he was dealing with an “upper-respiratory thing,” per Assimakopoulos. The 26-year-old started strong in the playoffs but cooled off considerably against the Oilers. His postseason ended abruptly in Game 5, when he allowed two goals on the first two shots he faced in a 6–3 loss that eliminated the Stars.
I’d move on from Benn and DeBoer.
Benn is a loser
I doubt theyll be moving on from Benn he will no longer cost them over $9MM per year he’ll probably be resigned for a number under $4MM AAV
Of course you would. Please keep posting. (not that I have to ask as you can’t help yourself)
So you changed your user name again so you could get past being blocked. Different name, same loser.
Benn is a detriment. Painfully slow & takes brain dead penalties regularly. The Stars have to be over the moon to get that contract off the books.
When did Hintz become a “mobile defender”? He’s played forward in every game I’ve ever seen him play.
Wow, did you just start watching hockey? The NHL even gives an award for this stuff!
Mitch Love to be behind Dallas bench come October?
I like that idea! I miss that guy with the Wranglers. Cull is good, but Love has a nose for the game. He is going to be a good head coach somewhere in my opinion. I’m sure he had a pretty good part in the success of the Caps this year.