Jamie Benn ends holdout, signs 5-year Stars extension

The Dallas Stars will have their best player, Jamie Benn, as part of their rebuilding plan after the star center ended his holdout and signed a five-year contract extension averaging $5.25 million per season.

Immigration issues will prevent him from playing Saturday against St. Louis, but the Stars expect Benn in the lineup Monday at Columbus.

Benn, 23, set personal bests in goals (26), assists (37) and points (63) last season. He led the club in game-winning goals (7), multi-goal games (5) and was second in shots (203). Benn was also selected for his first NHL All-Star Game, and won the accuracy shooting title during the Superskills Competition.

The signing of Benn through 2016-17 at $5.25 million, adds to a Stars talent base that includes Kari Lehtonen through 2017-18 at $5.9 million, Alex Goligoski through 2015-16 at $4.6 million, Loui Eriksson through 2015-16 at $4.25 million and Trevor Daley through 2016-17 at $3.3 million.

“It’s really big. We know how important he is to our hockey club. It’s good for our hockey club," Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said. "It’s great for Jamie. He needs to be back in that locker room with his teammates and tomorrow he will be.”