Dallas Stars to Start Season Without Captain Jamie Benn
Despite entering training camp fully healthy, the Dallas Stars will start their 2025-26 regular season without an important piece. Stars GM Jim Nill announced Thursday that captain Jamie Benn will undergo surgery for a collapsed lung and miss the start of the season.
Benn, 36, suffered the injury late in the third period of Tuesday’s preseason game against Minnesota. He is expected to make a full recovery and will be reevaluated in four weeks.
“Late in the third period, Jamie took a hit,” Nill said Thursday. “It wasn’t a big hit. He was turning to protect the puck, and the guy came in behind. Just wrong place.”
Injury Details and Recovery
Nill said Benn went to the bench and told team staff something felt off. Team doctors conducted an X-ray at American Airlines Center and found a small hole in his lung. He was taken to Parkland Hospital that night, where he’s been since.
Doctors told Nill that Benn cannot fly on an airplane or participate in any physical activity for four weeks. After Oct. 23, Nill said Benn should be able to skate and start light contact.
Benn would miss at least the first seven regular-season games on that timeline. However, he will likely miss more. Most injuries allow players to continue working out in some capacity to maintain conditioning. Benn won’t get the same luxury.
Impact on the Team
“Whatever timeline you put him on, I think he has a different one,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday.
It’s not the ideal start to what could be the Stars captain’s final year. This season will be Benn’s 17th in the NHL and with the Stars. He was a free agent over the summer but returned to Dallas on a one-year deal worth $1 million, as he continues his pursuit of winning the Stanley Cup before retirement.
Despite being the oldest player on the roster, Benn has avoided serious injuries over the last few seasons. He has played in 326 of the Stars’ last 328 regular-season games. He missed two games late last season for the birth of his son and maintenance. Up until those games, he had the fifth-longest active streak of games played in the NHL.
Benn’s Career and Leadership
Benn scored 16 goals and accumulated 33 assists last season and averaged 15:18 of ice time. He saw a reduced role in the playoffs and a demotion to the fourth line and is expected to play more of a depth role this season.
However, his leadership remains his biggest contribution to the locker room. He was named the sixth captain in Dallas history prior to the 2013-14 season. He is also the only player on the current roster to have played under Gulutzan during his first stint as Dallas’ head coach.
“It’s tough,” Gulutzan said. “It’s tough when it’s your captain, a leader in your locker room, but he’s going to be back at some point. I’m glad it’s now and not in November.”
Opportunities for Younger Players
Before Benn’s injury, the Stars’ roster was close to set. But his absence could open up an opportunity for a younger player to crack the opening-night lineup in Winnipeg on Oct. 9.
In the mix for that spot are Justin Hryckowian and Arttu Hyry, who both spent a handful of games on Dallas’ roster last season when they were among the top scorers for the Texas Stars.
Adam Erne, whom the Stars signed to a professional tryout for training camp, is also looking to earn a roster spot. The 30-year-old has played 379 career NHL games, including most recently 24 in Edmonton in the 2023-24 season.
Conclusion and Next Steps
“You deal with this all the time, but it’s part of the game,” Nill said. “It’s an opportunity for somebody else. Jamie’s a big part of our team, but we’ll be OK.”
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FAQs
Q: What is Jamie Benn’s injury?
A: Jamie Benn suffered a collapsed lung and will undergo surgery.
Q: How long will Jamie Benn be out?
A: Jamie Benn will miss at least the first seven regular-season games and will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Q: Who might replace Jamie Benn in the lineup?
A: Justin Hryckowian, Arttu Hyry, and Adam Erne are in the mix to replace Jamie Benn in the lineup.
Q: What is Jamie Benn’s role on the team?
A: Jamie Benn is the captain of the Dallas Stars and provides leadership to the team.
