Stars and Robertson agree to one-year deal
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill confirmed on Wednesday that the team’s goal is for Jason Robertson to remain with the franchise for the long term, potentially retiring as a Star. This statement follows Robertson’s recent signing of a one-year, $12 million contract on Tuesday, which allowed both parties to avoid a scheduled arbitration hearing.
Robertson, who turned 27 on Wednesday, was a restricted free agent and had filed for arbitration on July 5. The one-year agreement provides a temporary resolution, though it leaves the winger eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. He cannot sign a new deal with the Stars, or any other team if traded, until January.
Nill indicated that discussions prior to the one-year agreement included both long-term and short-term contract options. He emphasized Robertson’s desire to stay, stating, “It was clear he wanted to be a Dallas Star.” Nill also noted that the one-year deal ultimately worked well for both sides.
Future outlook for the Stars and Robertson
The Stars had reportedly explored a potential trade involving Robertson last month. A sign-and-trade deal with the Seattle Kraken was in place, which would have sent Robertson to Seattle in exchange for the seventh overall pick in the NHL Draft. However, this deal fell through when Robertson declined an eight-year contract offer from the Kraken, reportedly valued at $120 million over eight years, or $15 million per season.
Nill acknowledged the trade discussions but stated he was unaware if Robertson had received an offer sheet during his restricted free agency period. Despite the recent one-year contract, the general manager reiterated the team’s long-term vision for Robertson. “That’s our plan,” Nill said, referring to a long-term deal. “We hope someday that he retires here.”
Robertson led the Stars in scoring last season, accumulating 96 points from 45 goals and 51 assists in 82 games. This marked his third season with 40 or more goals. He also contributed five goals and eight points in six playoff games before the Stars were eliminated in the first round.
Over his career with the Stars, Robertson has amassed 490 points, including 213 goals and 277 assists, across 456 regular-season games. His previous contract was a four-year, $31 million deal that concluded recently. His most productive season came during the 2022-23 campaign, where he recorded 46 goals and 109 points in 82 games, earning him a first-team all-star selection.
According to PuckPedia, Robertson’s new contract places the Stars approximately $1.36 million over the salary cap with about two months remaining before the season begins. The team has no remaining restricted free agents, having previously traded forward Mavrik Bourque to the Nashville Predators and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, which cleared an additional $3.25 million in cap space.
The Stars are projected to have significant cap space next summer, with over $41 million available to spend and 10 roster spots to fill, according to PuckPedia. This financial flexibility could aid the club in retaining Robertson when contract negotiations resume, especially as Tyler Seguin’s eight-year contract, with a $9.85 million cap hit, is also set to expire.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
