'We have that feeling': Jamie Benn, Stars have Stanley Cup mindset

Stars captain Jamie Benn recently celebrated his 32nd birthday and completed his 12th season in the NHL. Benn has played 866 regular-season games and 59 postseason contests. Last season, the big forward tallied 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 52 games while toggling between left wing and center. There's a good chance he starts next season at center, as the Stars try to find the right fit and push to get back into the playoffs after missing out last season. Benn recently took the time to answer a few questions with Senior Staff Writer Mike Heika.

Are you doing things differently in the offseason because of things you learned during the pandemic?
Benn: A little bit, yeah. At the start of COVID, we had our little group in Dallas coming over to my house every day. We were working through a program put together by Seggy (Tyler Seguin) and his trainer and mixed it with stuff from Brad Jellis, our trainer, and that worked really well. There was more stationary bike riding because of the situation, but we also learned a lot of new things to make us feel better on the ice.
Did it work?
Benn:Yeah, I think it did. We put in a lot of hard work during that first COVID period to make sure we were ready for the playoffs, and I think it was very beneficial.
People will compare you to Brenden Morrow and say your type of game is wearing. How do you feel at this age?
Benn: The harder you work off the ice, you're going to feel better on the ice, and I've tried to follow that. Even after the playoffs, I took a couple of weeks off and then got right back at it. Uou have to have a routine, and then you feel pretty good. I'm doing the same thing this summer and really looking forward to a back-to-normal season of 82 games.
Does playing center create different challenges? Is it less physical, more aerobic?
Benn: No, I look at it as playing the same way as far as skating or physical play. I feel like I can control the game more -- a little better through the middle and touch the puck a little more. I think I'm going to start there next year and then I'll just try to keep improving at the position.

Do you think you'll play with Seguin on right wing or would you two play on different lines?
Benn: That's up to the coaching staff. We're fortunate that we have a lot of players who are comfortable playing a lot of different positions, so it'll be like it has been in the past, where you'll see a lot of different line combinations. If guys are injured or coming in and out of the lineup, we're fortunate to have so many versatile players.
The contracts say this could be a very big year, with several key players potentially being UFAs at the end of the season. Do you see it that way?
Benn: We're trying to build off what we've done, and we've been together for a while now. The expectations are high, and like you just mentioned, you don't know how long you're going to be together. So next year is very important.
Do you know when you have a good team? Can you feel that?
Benn: Yeah, for sure. Earlier in my career, the goal was probably to make the playoffs and see what we could do. You know, just build step by step. But now, expectations are raised, and we definitely know as players that we have a group that can win right now. We have that feeling.
How different are you as a player or as a person now than earlier in your career?
Benn:I've been around for a while now. Time flies in the NHL. I feel good, so I don't really look at age. It's all about how you feel out there and how much you believe in yourself. I feel good and I'm excited for next year.
What weight do you place on scoring numbers?
Benn:Obviously you want to produce because that helps your team win. Personally, the numbers haven't been there the last few years, but our team game is probably the best since I've been here. We were one win away from getting to the third round and then two wins away from winning the Stanley Cup. In the end, winning in the playoffs, that's what's most important to me, so however we have to do it to get there, I'm fine with that.

How do you feel about the team analytics? The numbers say you guys create good scoring chances but don't finish very well. Is that encouraging or discouraging?
Benn: The way we play the game, we might not get a lot, but we also don't give up a lot. We need to keep pushing to get offensive chances and then we need to execute better when we get those opportunities. Just one or two per game can make a big difference. We're confident in how we play. We know how to win and we know how to play the game.
Switching to leadership, did the pandemic change how you interacted with your teammates and how they interacted with each other?
Benn: It was definitely different. We've got a tight group and we've been tight for a while now. All of this probably made us even closer. We had a group chat going on when we were apart, and then living in that bubble, you get close with each other. It was fun to get to know each other even more, especially for the young guys. It was a good experience.
What was the group chat like?
Benn: It was really good. There's a lot of funny things going on there, making fun of each other, giving it and taking it. It's just a good way to keep in touch.

How are you with social media overall?
Benn: I don't really like social media overall. I'm not going to go on there much. But the group chat is more private, so it's more fun that way.
Dealing with the media and postgame interviews has been a hot topic this summer. Do you have an opinion on whether the current system works well?
Benn: It's interesting, grabbing an athlete right after a game. It's obviously better when you win your match or your game, but when you lose, emotions can be high. Sometimes, it's not fun to talk right after a loss. That's kind of the last thing you want to do is talk to the media. But it's part of the sport, part of the job, and it's probably better to not go in there with too much emotion.
Should the league study the process? Should there be a discussion on what is the best way to get what the fans want and what the players want and what the media wants?
Benn: I think it would be good. We're fortunate enough to have 20 guys per game, so we're not doing it every day. Golfers, tennis players, they're probably forced to do it every day. I'm sure they would love to send golf caddies to talk for them, but it's part of the job.
That's actually a good idea to send caddies or, in hockey, maybe send assistant coaches out. There are a lot of people who are part of the game and maybe aren't as emotional as players, so maybe spread it around a bit.
Benn: I'm sure Bones Stars head coach Rick Bowness] would love to send a couple of assistants out every now and then.
**As a fan, do you like watching press conferences or seeing responses from athlete in other sports?**
**Benn:** It can be entertaining. I like watching Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. That's entertaining, so I can see both sides of it.
**What are you watching on TV?**
**Benn:** I watch sports. If there is golf on TV, I'm watching that. I watch baseball. I'm not watching any shows.
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast*.