The Dallas Stars have finally settled their contract situation with Jason Robertson.
But instead of giving their star winger the long-term deal he was looking for, the two sides agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract in a bid to avoid arbitration. The deal keeps Robertson in Dallas for the 2026-27 season, but it also sets up a much bigger decision this time next summer.
Jason Robertson’s $12M Deal Raises Questions
The contract was finalized just days before Robertson was scheduled to appear in a salary arbitration hearing.
Coming off a 45-goal, 96-point campaign, Robertson’s camp was seeking a long-term contract carrying an AAV closer to $14 million. However, the Stars were unwilling to go beyond the $12 million mark, the salary ceiling set by Mikko Rantanen.
The result was a short-term compromise.
Before signing his one-year deal with the Stars, Robertson was linked to several teams.
Seattle offered him an eight-year, $120 million contract, while Pittsburgh also held trade talks with Dallas. The Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Carolina Hurricanes were linked to him as well, but Robertson ultimately stayed put in Dallas.
The one-year deal has divided opinion.
NHL insider Drew Livingstone criticized the Stars’ handling of the situation. “The Dallas Stars couldn’t find a trade partner for Jason Robertson so instead they lock him up for 1-year/$12M and walk him right to unrestricted free agency. Brutal mismanagement of this situation by Jim Nill,” Livingstone wrote.
However, others believe the deal could work in Dallas’ favor.
Hockey content creator Mike Bartner pointed out that the Stars’ salary cap situation could improve significantly next summer when Tyler Seguin’s $9.85 million contract comes off the books. “Robo will get that 8×15-16 come January,” Bartner remarked.
NHL analyst Shayna Goldman also argued that the contract could help Robertson increase his value before hitting the market. “Jason Robertson’s worth more than $12 million and this one-year contract should help position him for a lot more next summer,” Goldman said.
Another analyst, JD Young, offered a much simpler prediction: “He gone.”
The deal also creates an immediate problem for the Stars.
Dallas is projected to be roughly $1.4 million over the salary cap, meaning General Manager Jim Nill will need to make additional roster moves before the season begins.
The bigger issue, however, comes next summer.
Because Robertson signed for only one season, he will become an unrestricted free agent in July 2027.
Dallas can still sign Robertson to an extension between January 1 and July 1, 2027. However, under the new CBA taking effect on September 16, 2026, the Stars will be limited to offering a maximum seven-year deal.
If Robertson reaches unrestricted free agency, other teams can offer him just six years at max term.
Inside the NHL’s 2027 Free-Agent Class
If Robertson reaches the open market, he could be part of one of the more interesting free-agent classes in recent NHL history.
As things stand, the group is on track to include Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat, Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha, and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko.
That could create a bidding war for Robertson.
The Stars will have more financial flexibility next summer, with Seguin’s contract coming off the books. However, Dallas will also need to make a decision on whether Robertson is worth a massive long-term commitment, and the one-year extension in itself will likely have left a sour taste.
For now, the Stars have bought themselves one more season, but the clock is ticking.
