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
With the ice rinks collecting dust this offseason, it’s the NHL rumors to have popcorn ready for. And this time, it's about the Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson.
Robertson is one of the 15 RFAs to file for an arbitration hearing this year, set for July 20 to August 1. While he has rejected a direct 8-year, approximately $15M AAV contract from the Seattle Kraken, NHL insider David Pagnotta believed that might not happen with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“We know about the Seattle offer...just not...a team he wanted to be with,” The Fourth Period’s Editor-in-Chief said on the Inside Sports podcast on July 13, 2026. “Pittsburgh, maybe that's different.”
And that rejection might have little to do with monetary considerations. The rising star has also declined a deal with the St. Louis Blues, per Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek. Seemingly, Robertson would rather stay with the Stars or join an immediate Stanley Cup contender.
And that’s where the Penguins come in. Despite three recent playoff misses, their 16-season streak and back-to-back Cups (2016–17) signal contender status. Most importantly, NHL stars Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still anchor the roster.
So, a deal with the Penguins might turn out differently than it did with the Kraken or Blues. And Pagnotta wasn’t the only one to say this.
Elliotte Friedman and Josh Yohe Back Pagnotta's Assessment of Jason Robertson
Sportsnet journalist Elliotte Friedman talked about the Penguins' interest in Robertson during a July 6 episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast. Per him, Pittsburgh had a serious talk with the Stars about this left wing, who is coming off a 45-goal and 96-point season.
Then The Athletic’s journalist Josh Yohe only backed up Friedman’s claim, adding that the Stars GM Jim Nill didn’t let the talks get “serious”. But that doesn’t deny the fact that the Penguins’ GM Kyle Dubas envisioned Robertson to be the “long-term building block.” And Robertson might oblige.
“If the Stars come calling, Dubas won’t hesitate to make a substantial offer for a player he’s long coveted,” wrote Yohe. “And if Dubas gets to make that offer, there is a growing belief in the Penguins organization that Robertson would be happy to come to Pittsburgh.”
All eyes now turn to Robertson's decision, which will dictate the course for him in the 2026-27 season.
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Written by
Deblina Roy