Stars re-sign Jamie Benn to one-year contract

A franchise legend is returning for another season in the Lone Star State.

On Friday, the Dallas Stars signed forward Jamie Benn to a one-year contract. The deal has a cap hit of $850,000, but an AAV of $2 million, for the 2026-27 season.

The reason for the high annual value comes from $1.15 million in potential performance bonuses. Benn will receive $200,000 for playing in 10, 20 and 40 games played, along with another $150,000 if the Stars qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He will receive another $100,000 for each round Dallas wins.

It’s the second year in a row the Victoria, B.C. native has had this sort of deal. Last season, he had a cap hit of $1 million, with $3 million in potential bonuses. He made an extra $2 million after appearing in 60 regular-season games.

Injuries sidelined Benn for 20 games, leading to an overall dip in his production. He ended up scoring just 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points, marking the first time he has missed the 40-point mark in a normal, 82-game season in his NHL career. He was still a key veteran presence on a Stars team that finished with the third-best record in the league. The 36-year-old failed to register a point in the opening round of the postseason, which saw Dallas get knocked out by the Minnesota Wild in six games.

Benn has played all 17 seasons of his NHL career with the Stars, the team that took him in the fifth round, 129th overall, of the 2007 draft. He ranks second in franchise history in games played (1,252), goals (414) and points (992), while sitting third in assists (578). He’s also third in playoff scoring with 80 points in 126 contests.