Stars' Jamie Benn shuts down reports he's leaving Dallas

The Dallas Stars were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final, and while there's going to be several changes coming to their roster, captain Jamie Benn wants nothing to do with leaving this offseason.

Benn spoke to reporters at the end-of-season media availability and shut down any rumors about the potential of him moving on once free agency begins on July 1st.

"It will be interesting. I'm looking forward to it, to be honest," Benn told reporters Saturday when asked about potentially testing unrestricted free agency for the first time in his 16-year career. "I don't see myself going anywhere else. This is all I know. Hopefully, we can get something figured out, then I don't have to answer these questions."

The Stars are a financial nightmare this summer, as they have only 16 players signed for next season and under $5 million in cap space. In addition to Benn, Matt Duchene, Mikael Granlund, Evgenii Dadonov, Colin Blackwell, and Cody Ceci are pending UFAs. Mavrik Bourque and Nils Lundkvist are restricted free agents.

Mason Marchment has recently been named a prime trade candidate by several insiders, so have an eye for GM Jim Nill moving Marchment at the NHL Draft in a couple of weeks, and freeing up some money before free agency begins.

As for Benn, he recorded 16 goals and 49 points in the regular season, while scoring just one goal and three points in 18 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Benn will have to take a massive discount if he wants to remain in Dallas, and after scoring just one goal in 18 playoff games, he doesn't have much leverage in contract talks as it is.