Stars Coach and Teammates Praise Jamie Benn for Resurgent Play

Jamie Benn is adding to his franchise record for games played at 1,265 while closing in on the 1,000-point milestone with 996 career points, as the Dallas Stars approach a game against Columbus.

A leaner routine delivers sharper acceleration

At age 37, the forward is logging the fewest minutes of his career at 12:20 per game, down from 13:17 last season. Despite the reduced ice time, Benn scored on Thursday while skating on a line alongside Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston.

During the offseason, Benn made it a priority to drop pounds, leading Stars coach Glen Gulutzan to remark before the campaign that the 6-3 forward was leaner than he had ever witnessed him. That has allowed Benn to look lighter and play quicker this year.

Teammates and coaches praise the veteran’s motor

“I thought Jamie has had good legs the last couple of games,” Gulutzan said. “He’s skating really well.”

DALLAS STARS CAPTAIN JAMIE BENN pic.twitter.com/i3GGiBDTlA

— https://x.com/DallasStars/status/2039890194971742286

“I think he’s been moving well,” Johnston said. “Obviously, a nice goal today. He looks good. He always looks good to me. He’s obviously a huge part of our team.”

Anchoring the attack alongside Tyler Seguin

Ever since Seguin arrived in 2013, he and fellow veteran Benn have served as cornerstones of the Stars’ offense, maintaining their productivity over the years. The two continue to collaborate on the ice, most recently when Benn set up Seguin on an odd-man rush two games prior to Thursday’s matchup.

“He’s great,” Seguin said. “He shows us the way with how hard he works. He’s older….wiser. It’s great when he finds the back of the net. We all get excited.”

Stepping into elevated roles amid injuries

Benn has registered four points, including two goals and two assists, across 13 games this season. As Dallas deals with injuries to Duchene, Radek Faksa, Oskar Bäck and, until recently, Sam Steel, Benn is set for a promotion higher up the batting order—err, lineup.

“He can still do it,” Gulutzan said.

Roster adjustments and looming returns

Roster adjustments loom as Faksa nears a return and free agent Perron prepares to make his debut with his new team. Meanwhile, defenseman Esa Lindell participated in practice on Friday and remains a possibility for Saturday against Columbus.

“We just need everybody doing it,” Gulutzan said.

“I think we’ll see one, if not two, of those three,” Gulutzan said regarding the returning players. “We just don’t know which one yet.”