Dallas Stars: Signs Point to Jamie Benn Signing New Deal Soon

The puck drops for the 2013 NHL season on Saturday for the Dallas Stars and their top young star has yet to sign a new deal.

That all could change soon.

Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said that he's hoping for some good news on Thursday that points to Jamie Benn signing a new deal with Dallas, preferably within the day.

Via Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News:

"

Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said at press conference today he is hoping for good news ``in a few hours'' on Jamie Benn contract. We'll see.

— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) January 17, 2013"

Training camp started on Sunday and the restricted free agent has yet to show up to Dallas, but even if the Stars can bring him in before the season opener against the Phoenix Coyotes, it's not certain as to what kind of shape he'll be in.

But the fact that Benn will be in the lineup to lead this young group is a great sign going forward for Stars management.

Also, via Chris Nichols of Sportsnet:

"

#DallasStars hope to lock up RFA Jamie Benn today. Should be single-biggest defining season of career. Jagr+Whitney=PhD at #NHL University.

— Chris Nichols (@Nichols_NHLPool) January 17, 2013"

Benn was second in scoring on the Stars last year with 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 71 games. The 23-year-old star was a fifth-round pick in 2007 by Dallas.