The Dallas Stars have spent the last few years establishing themselves as one of the NHL’s top contenders, but a disappointing first-round exit has suddenly shifted attention to a crucial offseason.
With tough salary-cap decisions ahead and trade speculation beginning to build, Jason Robertson’s future is emerging as one of the biggest questions facing the organization.
Dallas Stars Face Jason Robertson Offer Sheet Threat
Robertson is coming off an impressive season, finishing with 45 goals and 51 assists for 96 points while playing all 82 regular-season games. He also chipped in with eight points during Dallas’s first-round playoff series against Minnesota. But with his four-year, $31 million deal set to expire, he will become a restricted free agent on July 1, putting his future firmly in the spotlight.
The biggest issue for Dallas is money. Robertson’s next contract is expected to land in the same neighborhood as Mikko Rantanen’s, potentially carrying a cap hit of around $12 million per season. That presents a major challenge for the Stars, who currently have only about $11 million in available cap space.
If the Stars cannot agree to a long-term extension, a move could become a realistic option rather than risking Robertson playing on a qualifying offer and eventually reaching unrestricted free agency a year later.
NHL insider David Pagnotta recently linked the New Jersey Devils to Robertson, saying, “Does New Jersey and new GM Sunny Mehta take a big swing for Jason Robertson this summer? The Dallas Stars continue to search for a legit right-shot defenceman. Maybe there’s one to be had from the Devils in a deal?”
As Pagnotta noted, a trade could make sense for both sides. Dallas is actively searching for a bona fide top-pairing right-shot defenseman, one of the toughest assets to find in today’s NHL. Meanwhile, the Devils have plenty of depth on the right side, headlined by veteran Dougie Hamilton and highly regarded young blueliner Šimon Nemec, making them a logical trade partner.
Robertson also looks like a natural fit in New Jersey. His combination of size, scoring touch, and ability to create offense around the net would mesh well with elite playmakers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Pairing a proven 45-goal scorer with Hughes could give the Devils one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive combinations.
The financial side also works in New Jersey’s favor. While Dallas is trying to navigate a cap crunch and a potential extension worth more than $12 million per season, the Devils have considerably more flexibility. With cornerstone players like Hughes and Jesper Bratt already locked into favorable long-term contracts, New Jersey has the room to add a superstar winger in his prime without throwing off its long-term salary structure.
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Whether the Devils are willing to pay the price required to acquire Robertson remains to be seen, but as Dallas navigates its cap crunch, trade speculation is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
