The Philadelphia Flyers are in a bit of a funk right now. After an encouraging start to the season that had fans dreaming of a surprise playoff push, the team has hit a rough patch.
They’ve gone 3-6-1 over their last 10 games, sitting at 23-17-8 through 48 contests. That’s a respectable record, but the recent skid has cooled off a lot of early-season optimism.
One particularly tough loss came against the Pittsburgh Penguins-a 6-3 defeat that stung more than most. Not just because of the scoreline, but because the usual suspects were at it again. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each tallied two points, reminding Flyers fans that as long as those two are around, the Battle of Pennsylvania is never an easy one.
Now, here’s where things get a little more unsettling for Flyers fans: even as Crosby and Malkin near the twilight of their Hall of Fame careers-and with Malkin set to hit free agency this summer-there’s already buzz about who might be next in line to carry the torch for Pittsburgh. And the name being floated? Jason Robertson.
According to reports, the Penguins are extremely high on the Dallas Stars’ young forward. They “absolutely love” him, and they’re reportedly in a position to make a serious play for him if the opportunity arises. We’re talking about a team with a mix of veteran assets, draft capital, and, crucially, the cap space to absorb a big-time contract.
For the Flyers and their fans, that’s a potential nightmare scenario.
Robertson is one of the brightest young stars in the NHL today. At just 23, he’s already racked up 27 goals and 29 assists in 49 games this season.
Over his career, he’s posted 195 goals and 255 assists in 423 games. That’s elite-level production, and he’s only just entering his prime.
If the Penguins were to land him, they’d go from aging out of their Crosby-Malkin era to launching right into a new one with a bona fide offensive centerpiece.
Now, let’s talk logistics. Robertson is a restricted free agent this summer.
That means he can’t just walk to another team-he’d need to sign an offer sheet, which the Stars could match. If they didn’t, the team signing him would have to fork over significant draft compensation.
For deals with an annual average value over $11.7 million, that could mean as many as four first-round picks. That’s a massive price tag, and one that would sting for any franchise.
But here’s the kicker: the Penguins might be willing to pay it.
With several big-name stars like Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, and Kyle Connor already locked into long-term deals, the upcoming free-agent market is looking a little thin on elite talent. That makes Robertson one of the most coveted names potentially available in the next couple of years.
If Dallas decides they can’t-or won’t-keep him long-term, the trade market could heat up fast. And Pittsburgh, with its combination of assets and cap flexibility, would be right in the thick of it.
For Flyers fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Just as it seems like the Penguins’ reign of terror might be winding down, they could be gearing up for their next act. And if that act stars Jason Robertson in black and gold, the rivalry is about to get a whole lot more complicated.
There’s still a lot that needs to happen before any of this becomes reality. Robertson is still under Dallas’ control, and the Stars may very well decide to keep their young star for the long haul. But if they don’t, and if the Penguins come calling, the Flyers could be staring down another decade of frustration at the hands of their biggest rival.