Player Profile: Jamie Benn

Jamie Benn

Position: Left Wing

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205

Age: 34

Shoots: Left

Salary: Two years at $9.5 million salary cap hit (actual pay is $6.5 million)

Did You Know: Benn is second to Mike Modano in several franchise best rankings, including games played (1,030) and goals (352). However, he is third in points behind Modano and Neal Broten in points. Broten has 867 points with the franchise and Benn (847) can catch him this season. Modano has a large lead with 1,359 points.

Last Season: Benn had a renaissance season, going from 46 points in 2021-22 to 78 in 2022-23. It was a combination of Benn finding great chemistry with rookie Wyatt Johnston, plus a fitness program that made him lighter and quicker. New coach Pete DeBoer reduces Benn's time on ice a minute per game to 15:47, which helped keep Benn fresh. DeBoer also made Benn a focus of the top power play and he saw his man advantage points jump from 11 to 30. Benn had 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in 17 playoff games, but finished with a huge thud. He had just one point in the final six games and was suspended two games after a crosscheck in Game 3 against Vegas. The penalty played a role in a 4-0 loss that put the Stars down 3-0 in the series.

Looking Forward: Benn's comeback season was impressive, as it showed just how effective he can still be. He is the longest-running captain in franchise history, and he was a huge part of the transition to the DeBoer way of hockey. He played quicker and smarter for much of the season, and set a great example for the entire team. Benn went from 88 penalty minutes in 2021-22 to 34 last season. He also went from minus-13 to plus-23. His calm hand helped Johnston get better game-to-game as a 19-year-old, and it's clear the two will be linemates again. Just like Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz, the duo will have to deal with the pressure to follow up, but Benn should have the experience to deal with the expectations. While Benn had a run where it looked like the end might be coming sooner than later, he is just 34 and has a great role model in Joe Pavelski.

He Said It: "Jamie's season speaks for itself," DeBoer said. "We wouldn't be where we are without him, and it's been consistent. Other than the first 10 games, he's been as consistent a goal scorer as we've had. He's contributing almost every night."

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.