Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars have avoided a salary arbitration hearing after agreeing to a one-year, $12 million contract for the 2026-27 season.
The short-term deal immediately raised questions about Robertson’s long-term future, and former Canadian Olympian and longtime NHL defenseman Jason Demers had a blunt reaction to the turn of events.
Former Olympian Reacts to Robertson’s $12M Contract
Robertson was heavily linked to the Seattle Kraken before signing with Dallas.
Seattle reportedly offered the restricted free agent an eight-year contract worth $120 million, which clocks in at $15 million per season, as part of a proposed sign-and-trade deal involving the No. 7 overall pick.
However, Robertson rejected the offer, effectively blocking the trade.
After a 45-goal, 96-point season, Robertson was reportedly seeking a long-term contract closer to $14 million annually from the Stars. Dallas, however, was unwilling to go beyond $12 million.
Demers, who represented Team Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, reacted to the deal on social media. “So Jason Robertson is playing to get traded, or are they waiting out the [Tyler] Seguin deal?? The man must hate Seattle with a passion,” Demers wrote.
The contract gives both sides some breathing room.
Dallas is now projected to be $1.4 million over the salary cap, but the Stars have a major financial change coming next summer. Tyler Seguin’s eight-year, $9.85 million AAV contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.
By agreeing to a one-year deal worth $12 million, Robertson avoids forcing Dallas to make major roster changes immediately to accommodate a long-term contract worth $14 million or more.
For what it’s worth, GM Jim Nill is hopeful that Robertson will retire a Dallas Star.
Jim Nill also said today that it never came down to an internal cap of comparing what Jason Robertson would make to other players. He said they understand the market changes.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) July 22, 2026
Once Seguin’s contract comes off the books, the Stars will have significantly more flexibility to negotiate a long-term deal with Robertson.
Robertson’s Future Creates a Major Timeline Crunch
The one-year contract also creates several important dates.
Under the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Robertson can become eligible to sign an extension on January 1, 2027.
If the two sides have not reached an agreement by the trade deadline, Dallas could face a difficult decision.
The Stars would have to choose between keeping Robertson for a potential playoff run while risking losing him in free agency or exploring a blockbuster trade before the deadline.
Under the new CBA rules taking effect in September, Dallas would be able to offer Robertson a seven-year contract, while rival teams could offer a maximum of six years in free agency.
That could create a massive bidding war.
Robertson is expected to headline a loaded 2027 free-agent class that could also feature stars such as Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes.
If he reaches the open market, teams with significant cap space could potentially offer him a contract worth $15 million to $16 million annually.
For now, Robertson remains in Dallas.
But given Seattle’s reported offer and Dallas’ decision to commit to him for only one season, the next chapter of the Robertson saga could be even more interesting.
