Dallas Stars Give Jamie Benn a 5-Year Extension

Jamie Benn has done nothing but make the Dallas Stars better since stepping foot on the ice for the organization in 2007, when he was taken with the 129th overall pick. I have no doubt that Benn will honor the five year $26.25 million deal that he signed with the Stars on Friday.

Benn has done exactly what any NHL executive hopes for its players to do–grow and get better with every single game, month and season. In particular Benn has turned out more goals, assists and points in each of his three seasons in the league. For those who buy into the sabermetrics aspect of the sport this would be a player who should be forecasted for exponential growth in 2013. Even in a shortened season, look for him to get better in every phase of the game.

Now that Benn has gotten paid, he will hit the ground running for a Stars team that is looking to improve upon their 2-1 record this season. In 48 games they will need young legs like Benn’s to keep everyone fresh. Benn will also look to improve upon the career-high seven game winning goals that he scored in 2012–even in a shortened season he could match this mark for sure.

As a left winger you have to worry about Benn’s health throughout this five year span however, it appears the Stars are getting a steal with a player who is in line to become one of the NHL’s biggest stars.

The young and exciting Benn even put on a show in last years All-Star skills competition where he won the accuracy shooting title during the Superskills Competition.