Restricted free agent Jamie Benn is another key player without a contract for the upcoming season. Columnist Mike Heika wrote an interesting piece on the parallels between contract negotiations of a single player and the NHL's present labor dispute. The Stars and the league want a deal that is best suited for the future, while the NHLPA and Benn's agent look for a comparable in the market and to try to maximize their share of the pie as well. Both sides have to be willing to compromise to get a deal done. Benn doesn't want to be without a contract when the year begins and the Stars need to have him in the lineup.