As the NHL offseason moves toward the draft over the weekend and the start of free agency on Wednesday, the Dallas Stars continue to navigate the uncertainty about the future of one of their best players.
Contract discussions with Jason Robertson remain unresolved, with a gap between the two sides persisting in recent weeks and the forward set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
That situation nearly led to a blockbuster move Thursday, with Robertson having already completed his four-year, $31 million contract with the Stars.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Dallas granted the Seattle Kraken permission to negotiate directly with Robertson as part of a sign-and-trade framework that seemed to be already lined up.
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Seattle made an aggressive push, offering an eight-year contract (a contract length that can only be offered by the team in possession of a player's rights) worth roughly $15 million annually for a total of $120 million spread over that duration. The offer would have made him one of the highest-paid players in the NHL.
However, Robertson declined the offer, and his decision led to the sign-and-trade deal collapsing. The move was expected to send Seattle’s No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to Dallas, potentially along with additional assets.
"According to multiple sources, the Seattle Kraken were given permission by Dallas to talk to Jason Robertson, and offered him approximately $15 million per year on a eight-year deal — but the offer was declined," Friedman wrote. "It’s believed the two teams had worked out some kind of trade before the permission was granted, apparently including Seattle’s first-round pick — seventh overall in Friday’s draft."
TSN's Pierre LeBrun confirmed Friedman's report and added a bit more information on the aftermath of Robinson's decision, noting Dallas is now pivoting back to the market.
“Further to what @FriedgeHNIC reported on Jason Robertson rejecting a contract offer from Seattle, the Stars now are circling back to teams that had shown interest in the winger,” LeBrun wrote. “Plus still keeping dialogue open on trying to sign him. Trying to keep all avenues open.”
The Stars are believed to be targeting a deal closer to $12 million annually, aligning with Robertson's teammate Mikko Rantanen’s contract.
The 26-year-old winger is coming off, arguably, his second-best season ever, recording 45 goals and 96 points, his fourth straight year with at least 80 points, and the most since he scored 104 in 2023.
