Jason Robertson isn’t looking past the present after putting pen to paper with the Dallas Stars.
The forward signed a one-year, $12 million deal, and when asked whether he expects to be with the Stars for a long time, he kept his answer squarely on the now.
“I’m just happy to start the season in Dallas right now. I was pretty much planning to.
They had my rights. Now I can focus on this season and have a good summer.”
Around the league, the Philadelphia Flyers remain a team to watch if certain names ever hit the market. Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff said in a mailbag that if the Seattle Kraken made defenseman Vince Dunn available, the Flyers would be interested. Dunn has one year left at $7 million, though Seattle is trying to compete and he is not expected to be available at the moment.
Di Marco also noted the Flyers would have interest in Matty Beniers if he were made available. The Kraken, meanwhile, are looking to move Shane Wright, but it does not appear they are shopping anyone else.
In Ottawa, the Senators’ stance on their center group seems clear. They do not appear interested in moving Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, or Ridly Greig, even though they are looking for a scoring winger and a top-four, right-handed defenseman. Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has drawn interest from the Senators in the past, and the fit makes sense on paper, but sources say Sens GM Steve Staois refuses to talk about his centermen.
Elsewhere, the Anaheim Ducks have three players they could consider moving this offseason: Chris Kreider at $6.5 million AAV, Alex Killorn at $6.25 million AAV, and Frank Vatrano at $4.57 million AAV. Dylan Larkin is still listed as a trade candidate as well, though the Detroit Red Wings do not have a GM.
Alex Ovechkin had his own moment of uncertainty after the Washington Capitals added Jordan Kyrou, signed Alex Tuch to his big contract, and then brought in Boone Jenner, Vincent Desharnais and Justin Holl. The veteran said he started to wonder whether there would be room for him.
“I was worried. ‘What if they didn’t offer me (a contract)?'”
Ovechkin recalled. “I was worried there wouldn’t be enough cap space to sign me.”
He eventually signed a one-year, $4.25 million deal with bonuses.
In Other News...
Senators Face A Season Defining Atlantic Division Test
Ottawas offseason additions were made with a clear purpose: give the roster more ways to handle the grind of a division that figures to be anything but forgiving. The Senators have spent enough time trying to climb back into relevance that the next step is less about promise and more about proving they can live with the pressure that comes from playing in a crowded Atlantic.
The challenge is obvious, with Tampa Bay, Montreal, Buffalo, Toronto, Boston and Detroit all part of the same traffic jam. In a tightly packed Eastern Conference, Ottawa should be in the playoff conversation for a long stretch, but the real test may be whether the Senators can stay close enough to matter when the standings finally begin to sort themselves out. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Fans May Finally Get The Farewell They Wanted
Erik Karlssons future in Pittsburgh is already drawing attention as he heads into the final year of his contract, and the expectation around the league is that the Penguins are unlikely to take the next step with an extension. If Pittsburgh is out of the race, a trade would become a real possibility, which is why his name has started to surface in early chatter well before the season gets rolling.
Ottawa is among the teams being mentioned as a possible landing spot, and it is easy to see why the Senators would be interested in a player who could bolster the right side of their blue line. There is also some parallel intrigue around Vladislav Gavrikov in New York, where whispers suggest he may not be thrilled with the Rangers direction, but for now the focus in Ottawa remains on whether Karlsson ever becomes available at the right time. [Read more 🡒]