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NHL Rumors: Jamie Benn and Stars discussing extension

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 17, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) smiles while on the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at American Airlines Center. The Stars won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) smiles while on the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at American Airlines Center. The Stars won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Stars and captain Jamie Benn are expected to begin discussing an extension this offseason.

The Dallas Stars transformation into one of the most exciting teams in the NHL has been a fun one to watch. A huge reason for that is their captain Jamie Benn, who led the league in points in 2014-15 and finished in second in 2015-16. Benn is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2016-17 season, but Benn would love to stay with the Stars and is open to an extension.

“Going into the last year of your contract, you don’t want it to be a distraction for your team,” Benn said, via SportsDay. “I’ll let [general manager Jim Nill] and my agent try to figure that out.”

After being named a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award in 2014-15, Benn is one of the three finalists for the Hart Trophy, which goes to the NHL’s most valuable player, this season. He can sign a new deal beginning on July 1. A fifth-round draft pick of the Stars in the 2007 NHL Draft, Benn has spent his entire career with the Stars. In 508 career games, he has 192 goals, 256 assists, and 448 points.

Benn stepped up his game in the postseason even without Tyler Seguin. He had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 13 playoff games. Benn has 20 points in 19 career playoff games. If the Stars want to remain a Stanley Cup contender, they have to find a way to keep Benn. Benn will likely command an average annual value of at least $7.5 million.

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