Dallas Stars confirmed that captain Jamie Benn will return for an 18th season, signing a one‑year deal with a base salary of $850,000 and up to $1,150,000 in bonuses. The contract keeps Benn—who has played every game in his 1,252‑game NHL career—at the heart of the franchise.

Benn, now 37, is the only player in Stars history to surpass Mike Modano in regular‑season games, goals, and points. His 80‑point playoff run—28 goals and 52 assists—remains the deepest the team has gone, yet a Stanley Cup title still eludes him.

The move follows a season where Benn missed 19 games with a punctured lung and finished with 15 goals and 21 assists in 60 games. After a first‑round exit, he paused before deciding to stay, buoyed by support from coach Glen Gulutzan and teammates like Tyler Seguin.

With the Stars entering the 2026‑27 campaign, Benn’s leadership anchors a squad that reached the Western Conference finals three straight years before this early playoff exit. The contract solidifies his role as the franchise’s emotional and on‑ice cornerstone.