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Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn Seeking Long-Term Contract

By Ryan Ritchie

Apr 18, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) looks for a pass the first period against the Minnesota Wild in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) looks for a pass the first period against the Minnesota Wild in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn Wants to Get a Long-Term Deal Done This Offseason to Avoid a Distraction in 2016-17

Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn is making it very clear that he wants to remain in the Lone Star State for the foreseeable future.

Originally reported by Sportsnet on Sunday, Benn, who is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2017, has stated he has no interest in becoming a free agent.

In fact, the 26-year-old Stars captain went on to say he would prefer to work out a new long-term contract during this offseason to avoid what could become a distraction in 2016-17.

“This is where I want to play, this is where I want to be,” Benn told the media. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

“Going into the last year of your contract, you don’t want it to be a distraction for your team,” Benn said.

We already saw the type of distraction this could cause in 2015-16 with Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos. Fast forward a few years, John Tavares and the New York Islanders could find themselves in a similar situation.

via Sportsnet,

It sounds like Stars general manager Jim Nill is on the same page with his team’s captain — the GM told Dallas media he’d like to get to work on contract talks soon, too.

So, how big a raise might Benn be looking at? Many are pointing to Anze Kopitar‘s eight-year, $80 million extension with the Los Angeles Kings. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox suggests using whatever amount Steven Stamkos lands in free agency this summer as a starting point.

“I’ve got to meet with Jamie over the next week or 10 days. Going to start discussing that and then I’ll get a hold of his people,” Nill said. “It’s something we’d like to start up, if it’s something we can get done in July, August.”

Jamie Benn, 26, was taken 129th overall (5th round) back in 2007 as a product of the BCHL. After a couple big seasons in the WHL, he joined the Dallas Stars in 2009-10, posting 41 points in 82 games as a rookie. 

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His point-per-game (PPG) has spiked in each season since entering the league.

Benn won the Art Ross Trophy (most points) in 2014-15 with 87 points (35g 52a).

He finished 2nd in scoring behind Patrick Kane in 2015-16, but still managed to top last year’s total by two, including six more goals – Benn scored 41 goals (89 points) in 2015-16.

It’s difficult to imagine the rugged sniper/power forward’s PPG increasing once again next year, but who knows, Benn might have a 50 goal season left in him.

Dallas Stars F Jamie Benn has 192 goals, 256 assists (448 points) in 508 career regular season games. He also has nine goals, 11 assists (20 points) in 19 postseason contests.

Next: Stars Disappointing Game 7 Effort A Tough Way to Lose

The Stars are in a good position with the cap moving forward. Tyler Seguin is locked in with a $5.75 million dollar cap hit through 2018-19. John Klingberg earns an affordable $4.25 million dollars against the cap through 2022.

There are still several decisions to make moving ahead (goaltending in particular), but GM Jim Nill can feel comfortable making his star forward one of the NHL’s highest paid players.

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