Jamie Benn, Stars Agree to New 1-Year Contract Ahead of 2025 NHL Free Agency

Jamie Benn is extending his run as the longest-serving captain in Dallas Stars history.

The Stars are bringing back Benn for a 17th season on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, the team announced Thursday.

The contract includes a base salary of $1 million with an additional $3 million in performance bonuses.

Those performance bonuses, as reported by ESPN, include $2 million in games played incentives. Benn could receive an additional $500,000 for his 20th, 30th, 50th and 60th games played.

He could also earn up to $1 million in playoff incentives, with the chance to earn an extra $500,000 for a Western Conference finals appearance and another $500,000 for a Stanley Cup win, per ESPN.

Given that he has played at least 80 games in each of his last four seasons, and that the Stars have made three straight trips to the conference finals, Benn seemingly has a good shot at qualifying for most of those incentives during his age-35 campaign.

Benn entered free agency for the first time in his NHL career this summer after his previous eight-year, $76 million deal with the Stars expired following the 2024-25 season.

The Stars captain, who was drafted by Dallas in 2007 and took over the captaincy in 2013, said in May he didn't see himself "going anywhere else" after 16 years in Dallas.

Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement after Benn's contract was signed that "there was never a doubt that Jamie would return next season."

A top-line player for the Stars earlier in his career, Benn took on a more sheltered role as a member of Dallas' bottom six and at times their fourth line in 2024-25.

He scored 16 goals and 33 points for 49 points while averaging 15:18 on the ice through 80 regular-season games.

The Stars captain then saw his playing time drop to an average of just over 13 minutes through 18 postseason games. He recorded one goal and two assists before Dallas was eliminated in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

Benn's offensive role may have become more limited since his Art Ross Trophy-winning campaign back in 2014-15, but he can continue mentoring young players like Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven in his 17th NHL season.

Tyler Seguin, Benn's longtime teammate, is also signed through the 2026-27 campaign. The pair will continue providing veteran experience on a Stars roster looking to take the next step by reaching the Stanley Cup Final next spring.

Benn is currently ranked second only to Stars icon Mike Modano for the all-time franchise lead in games played (1,192), goals (399) and points (956.) He will have the chance to become the 12th active NHL player to record 400 career goals next season.