The Dallas Stars have struggled to find consistent success in the 21st century. In a bid to change that, they signed Mikko Rantanen to a massive extension earlier this year—but he’s not the only star they’ve secured for the 2025-26 NHL season.
The 2024-25 NHL season has just wrapped up, yet teams are already working toward building stronger rosters for the next campaign. Dallas is one of them, having already made a major move earlier this year that stunned the league.
In March, the Stars announced they had signed Mikko Rantanen to a lucrative eight-year, $96 million contract extension that runs through the 2032-33 season. Now, the Western Conference franchise has locked in another key piece—one of Rantanen’s top teammates.
Stars sign Rantanen’s top teammate for the 2025-26 NHL season
Success has largely eluded the Stars since their Stanley Cup win in 1999. With fans growing increasingly impatient, the franchise has stepped up efforts to build a title-contending roster.
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Their boldest move came with the acquisition of Mikko Rantanen. In March, Dallas pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Hurricanes, sending Logan Stankoven, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick in exchange for the Finnish winger.
Following his arrival, Rantanen immediately signed an eight-year extension. But the Stars know that one star isn’t enough to lift the Cup—which is why they’ve secured another key forward to support him.
On Thursday, Dallas announced a one-year contract extension for captain Jamie Benn. The veteran was set to become a free agent, but the new deal ensures he’ll remain with the team through the 2025-26 season.
Jamie Benn, LW for the Dallas Stars
Benn, drafted by the Stars in the fifth round back in 2007, has become a cornerstone of the franchise. In 1,192 career games, he has tallied 399 goals and 557 assists, cementing his legacy as one of the team’s all-time greats.
Will Jamie Benn retire in 2026?
The one-year extension may hint that the 2025-26 campaign will be Benn’s final season. The Canadian forward turns 36 this summer, and questions remain about whether he plans to continue playing beyond next year.
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There’s no doubt Benn’s presence will be missed when he eventually steps off the ice. From a late-round draft pick to franchise icon, he’ll be hoping to close out his career by lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time.
