With the NHL preseason just three weeks away, the Dallas Stars are preparing for their first game since their disappointing Game 5 exit in the Western Conference Final. Jason Robertson is expected to play a crucial role in both the season opener and throughout the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
However, with Robertson entering the final year of his contract, rumors quickly surfaced that the forward could be placed on the trade block. Speculation grew throughout the offseason, but one insider has now revealed the exact moment Robertson’s name officially entered the market.
When Did Jason Robertson’s Name First Surface in Trade Discussions?
With 80 points in 82 games, Robertson remained one of the Stars’ most productive offensive weapons during the 2024-25 season. While his regular-season performance was exceptional, his six points in 11 playoff games raised significant questions about his postseason impact.
The timing adds urgency to the situation. The 2025-26 season marks the final year of Robertson’s four-year, $31 million deal, leaving many fans wondering if the left winger would be moved before losing him for nothing in free agency.
NHL insider Renaud Lavoie recently revealed exactly how Robertson’s name ended up circulating in trade discussions. On the latest episode of the “DLLS Stars Podcast,” Lavoie joined host Sam Nestler to discuss the swirling trade rumors. They noted that with Mikko Rantanen joining the team from the Carolina Hurricanes in March, Robertson’s future needed clarity.
Lavoie explained the origins of the speculation: “The reality is, you know, when you’re ending a season the way it ended, okay, there was a lot of stuff going on, and after that, the first thing you know, it could be that Jason Robertson could be traded.”
Despite reaching the Conference Finals for the third consecutive season, the Stars still fell short of the Stanley Cup Finals. This pattern of playoff disappointment sparked the initial discussions. Lavoie continued, “That rumble started, by the way, at the trading deadline because when Miko Rantanen was traded, the name of Jason Robertson popped that morning.”
Why Robertson’s Contract Status Creates Complications for Dallas
The timing of when Robertson’s name first surfaced proves telling about the organization’s thought process. “No one reported it. I didn’t report it that morning,” Lavoie said. “But it was the first time since Jason Robertson arrived in the NHL that his name popped. And after that, after the season, it popped again.”
According to Lavoie, fans could sense something brewing behind the scenes. Still, he believes Robertson possesses the talent to make a championship difference. “He can be a player that’s going to help you raise that Stanley Cup,” Lavoie noted.
JASON ROBERTSON TIES THINGS UP IN GAME 4 🤖 pic.twitter.com/SVSMtXXbn2
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 28, 2025
The contract situation creates a unique challenge for Dallas management. Lavoie believes that whenever Robertson potentially moves to another team, questions about his long-term commitment will follow. While Robertson isn’t alone among players who struggle in contract years, his situation could become a major distraction for a contending team.
Lavoie drew an important distinction about the stakes involved: “It’s one thing when it’s Brad Marchand, but Brad Marchand was 36, and his team was not good. Now we’re talking about, like we just mentioned, a team that you know could win the Stanley Cup.” The pressure intensifies when championship expectations are involved.
These unresolved questions can’t simply be ignored heading into the season. “I believe that they’re really important questions that need to be resolved. Plenty there to think over,” Lavoie concluded. The Stars will need to address Robertson’s future before the new season begins in earnest.
