If Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars end up going all the way to salary arbitration, the Pittsburgh Penguins might be the ones who benefit.
That’s the twist in this situation: a hearing could push Robertson’s number beyond what Dallas can comfortably fit under the cap, and that’s where Kyle Dubas’ long-running interest in the winger could suddenly matter.
TribLive’s Mark Madden said on his podcast Monday that Dubas still hasn’t backed off his pursuit. “I know Dubas is determined to get him.
From what I’m told, that has not changed,” Madden said. “If he gets $15 (million) or $16 million in arbitration - which he might - Dallas has a really hard time dealing with that under the cap.
That could make something move.”
The Stars were unable to lock Robertson into an extension before arbitration, which suggests their number and the player’s camp’s expectations were not close. Robertson is coming off a monster season: 45 goals and 51 assists, production that puts him among the NHL’s elite forwards.
Dallas can certainly make its case in the hearing. The club could point to Robertson’s all-around game, or bring up the fact that he did not make the U.S.
Olympic team. But with less than $11 million in cap space, the Stars would have a tough time smiling at a deal that lands too high.
If the award comes in near their available room, Dallas might be able to shuffle things around and make it work. If it climbs into that $15 million or $16 million range, though, Robertson could become too expensive to keep. That’s the window the Penguins are watching, hoping the arbitration process does what their previous attempts could not.
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