Stars' Jamie Benn Handed 'Punishment' for Cross-Check to Head of Ryan Hartman

The Dallas Stars/Minnesota Wild series is, as expected, a chippy affair. A violent exchange between the Stars' Jamie Benn & Ryan Hartman has resulted in NHL Player Safety getting involved. Sort of. But not really.

Benn responded to a shot up high by Hartman with a targeted cross-check to the head, but has only been fined (the maximum allowable), $2,604.17. How they came up with the 17 cents is anybody's guess.

Dallas’ Jamie Benn has been fined $2,604.17, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 29, 2026

After the high hit from Hartman, Benn targeted the Stars' forward, first with a cross-check to the ribs, then to the back of the head.

Stars forward Jamie Benn has been fined $2,604.17 (max) for cross-checking #mnwild forward Ryan Hartman. #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/nn83n7hdEb
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 29, 2026

Hartman was called for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, and Benn for cross-checking.

Not unexpectedly, Benn has taken on the role of villain in this series, engaging in other plays that have had the Wild up in arms as well, including slew-footing Matt Boldy in Game 2 and then a cross-check to Boldy's head in Game 3.

The frustration can be heard, even from the Minnesota beat writers.

Jamie Benn was fined $2,600 for cross-checking Ryan Hartman in the head.

I assume Hartman is getting a 10-game suspension for getting cross-checked in the head
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 29, 2026

Of course, this isn't the first time that Benn has crossed the line. He was suspended for 2 games in the Western Conference Final in 2023 for cross-checking Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights.

For some reason, one that most observers cannot figure out, Benn didn't earn a suspension for this obvious targeted headshot.

The Wild lead the hard-fought series 3-2, with Game 6 set for Thursday night in Minny.