The Dallas Stars and Jason Robertson may have put a contract in place for this season, but that doesn’t mean the tension has disappeared.
Robertson, a restricted free agent, went through a messy offseason with the Stars before the two sides finally landed on a one-year, $12 million deal for the upcoming season. Dallas had also explored trade options, and Robertson blocked two potential moves, one to the St.
Louis Blues and another to the Seattle Kraken. So while the contract gets everyone to opening night, it doesn’t exactly wipe the slate clean.
That’s the part Minnesota Wild fans are paying attention to.
The Fourth Period NHL insider David Pagnotta said there is still some “animosity” between the player and the team after the drawn-out negotiations. He explained that Robertson cannot sign an extension until Jan. 1, but added that the relationship still has some strain attached to it.
“He can't sign an extension, or isn't eligible to do it until Jan. 1.
But, there's still a little bit of animosity from both sides on this one,” said Pagnotta. “Even with the contract getting done, some question marks from the Stars side and some others within the organization, 'well why the heck didn't we get this done a month ago on a one-year, $12 million deal and then expand it from there?'
Potentially could have kept Mavrik Bourque in the mix as kind of part of it with some other maneuvering and whatnot.
“I don't think it's calm waters just yet. It has calmed the waters, but there's still some ripples and some waves that are affecting the relationship. Maybe, this is done, things kind of calm down.”
That’s the kind of update that keeps the door cracked open for a bigger change later on. Pagnotta also noted that if Robertson turns in another big season - something in the 90- to 100-point range - he could price himself out of Dallas. He pointed to Leo Carlsson’s $18 million annual salary as an example of how quickly the market can shift if a player reaches free agency.
For the Wild, that’s the kind of possibility worth watching. If Robertson eventually leaves Dallas, it would be a boost for Minnesota’s standing in the Central Division. The Wild already beat the Stars in the playoffs this year, and while they still have work to do - including sorting out a contract extension for star defenseman Quinn Hughes and finding a No. 1 center - they enter this season in solid shape.
Robertson staying in Dallas was always one outcome. Him leaving next summer is another. And after this offseason, that second path looks a lot more realistic than it did before.
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