By filing for salary arbitration ahead of Sunday's NHL deadline, Jason Robertson guaranteed that no rival team can submit an offer sheet for his services, giving the Dallas Stars breathing room as they attempt to lock up their top offensive weapon.
Robertson, who will turn 27 later this month, hit restricted free agency after a four-year, $31 million contract expired. He was named a First Team All-Star after leading the Stars with 96 points, pacing the club with 45 goals and adding 51 assists in 82 appearances.
The arbitration route sets up a process in which an independent adjudicator determines Robertson's 2026-27 compensation if the two sides cannot reach a deal on their own. That outcome would bridge Robertson to unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027. Nill noted that the regular season does not begin until September, leaving time for further dialogue.
Dallas had explored moving Robertson to Seattle in a sign-and-trade for the seventh overall draft choice, but the winger was unwilling to accept the Kraken's long-term pitch — a reported $120 million spread across eight seasons, averaging $15 million per year.
Robertson was part of a group of 15 players to file by the deadline. The Stars operate with a top-heavy cap structure: seven players carry cap charges above $8 million, with Mikko Rantanen's $12 million average and Thomas Harley's $10.587 million deal anchoring the payroll.
