(Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports)
It might be hard to believe, but Jamie Benn’s eight-year, $76 million contract ($9.5 million AAV) will come to an end after the 2024-25 season. Benn signed the contract in July 2016, where he came off of back-to-back 80-point seasons.
However, just because a player has played his whole career with one team, doesn’t mean he will stay. Another team this July learned that lesson with another captain who spent his whole career with one team, and that player’s influence could maybe impact Benn’s.
Steven Stamkos spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2008-2024. On July 1, 2024, Stamkos signed a four-year, $32 million ($8 million AAV) with the Nashville Predators. Stamkos was the captain the Lightning’s captain since 2014. Dow does Dallas face this situation next season with Benn?
Benn might not be able to demand $9.5 million again as he will turn 35 years old in less than two weeks. Stamkos will turn 35 next season. How has Benn performed since 2016?
Benn hasn’t had a season of where he produced over 80 points. Benn did record a 79-point season in the 2017-18 season and a 78-point season in the 2022-23 season. Last season, Benn recorded 60 points (21G, 39A) on a Dallas team with deep depth. Since Pete DeBoer was hired in Dallas, Benn’s game has gotten better, as in the 2021-22 season, Benn recorded a 46-point season. Benn has always been one of the best power forwards in the NHL with his physicality.
A lot of people thought the Lightning not bringing back Stamkos was a “slap in the face.” When you have a player that has played their whole career with a team, general managers should invest bringing them back and make them play their whole career with one team.
Along with Benn, the Stars have other key free agents after next season. Jake Oettinger, Wyatt Johnston, Esa Lindell, Matt Duchene, Evegnii Dadonov and Sam Steel are all free agents. With key restricted free agents Oettinger and Johnston, Dallas might need Benn to take a lower contract, and give the younger players Oettinger and Johnston more money. That might be something Benn wouldn’t be willing to do, as he’s the longest tenured Star since 2010 and has served as Dallas’ captain since 2013.
Could Benn ask around $5.5-$7 million? It’s unsure, and we won’t know until July 2025. Almost everyone associated with the Stars wants Benn to spend his whole career in Dallas. Next July will determine it as he’s an unrestricted free agent.
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