In the wake of a Pierre LeBrun report in The Athletic describing the contract negotiations between the Ottawa Senators and impending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux as a "grind," an intriguing domino fell that could have an impact on the talks here in the nation's capital.

The one-year contract is worth a base of $1 million, plus an additional $3 million in potential performance bonuses

Benn's offensive role may have become more limited since his Art Ross Trophy-winning campaign back in 2014-15, but he can continue mentoring young players like Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven in his 17th NHL season.