October 12, 2024, Dallas, Texas, United States: Jason Robertson 21is seen during the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA match between the Dallas Stars and the New York Islanders at American Airlines Center. Dallas Stars defeats Minnesota Wild 3-0. on October 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Dallas United States - ZUMAe321 20241012_zsa_e321_033 Copyright: xJavierxVicenciox/xEyepixxGroupx
October 12, 2024, Dallas, Texas, United States: Jason Robertson 21is seen during the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA match between the Dallas Stars and the New York Islanders at American Airlines Center. Dallas Stars defeats Minnesota Wild 3-0. on October 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Dallas United States - ZUMAe321 20241012_zsa_e321_033 Copyright: xJavierxVicenciox/xEyepixxGroupx
After successfully avoiding the arbitration hearing, the Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson is set to join an elite list next year, alongside NHL stars Sidney Crosby, Jordan Binnington and more.
Robertson, one of the 15 RFAs to file for the arbitration hearing, has recently signed a 1-year, $12M contract with the Stars. This salary now ties him with Mikko Rantanen as Dallas' highest-paid forward.
But 2027 will see him become an unrestricted free agent, joining the likes of Pittsburgh Penguins center Crosby, St. Louis Blues goalie Binnington, Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat, Vegas Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart, as listed by the Hockey News’ Adam Proteau.
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 16: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Nick Paul 13 and Dallas Stars Left Wing Jason Robertson 21 battle for the loose puck during the first period of the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA game between the Ottawa Senators and the Dallas Stars on February 16, 2020 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire NHL: FEB 16 Stars at Senators Icon20200216002
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 16: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Nick Paul 13 and Dallas Stars Left Wing Jason Robertson 21 battle for the loose puck during the first period of the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA game between the Ottawa Senators and the Dallas Stars on February 16, 2020 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire NHL: FEB 16 Stars at Senators Icon20200216002
There'll also be the Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, Tampa Bay Lightning's right Wing Nikita Kucherov, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and netminder Scott Wedgewood, per Proteau's list.
The 27-year-old avoided offer sheets and free agency by walking to an arbitration hearing. He declined an 8-year, $15M AAV sign-and-trade contract with the Seattle Kraken. According to The Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Merek, Robertson also turned down a deal with the Blues.
His reasons remain unknown. But the left winger may have wanted to stay with a contender like Dallas for the long run or buy out more time before hitting the market in a better salary environment than joining a different team immediately.
And his own remarks sort of backed up this claim.
Why Jason Robertson Chose Dallas
According to NHL.com’s writer Tracey Myers, the delay in re-signing was just to evaluate where the player and team stand and how both parties can reach an agreement. Either way, the Stars forward knew he’d resign.
“It was no surprise,” the forward said after a day of signing the deal, per Myers. “Everyone can see that they are in a little (salary cap) crunch. At the end of the day, they had my rights, right? I wasn’t free to go anywhere this year.”
“So, the chances of staying in Dallas this offseason were high obviously because of that,” he added. “It just happened in this way, and obviously we’ll have time to revisit it later this year.”
The 2026-27 season will be his 2nd and final season as an RFA. Seemingly, Robertson figured it’d be better to chase a Stanley Cup at Dallas for the final year and hit the market fresh later than joining a less-contending team.
What do you think will be his next NHL home? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy