The Jason Robertson chase is over for the Pittsburgh Penguins, at least for now.
Dallas officially re-signed its star scorer to a one-year, $12 million contract, shutting down any immediate hopes that Kyle Dubas and the Penguins could land the winger this offseason. The trade talk had been there, and Dubas clearly showed interest, but nothing ever got across the finish line.
That doesn’t mean Robertson is gone from Pittsburgh’s orbit forever. The one-year deal sets him up to reach unrestricted free agency next summer, which keeps the Penguins in the conversation down the road. If Robertson gets to the open market, Pittsburgh is expected to be one of the teams chasing him.
For now, though, the reality is simple: the Penguins missed out, and they still have work to do. Their roster remains flawed, old, and short on room for younger players to make a real impact this season. Without Robertson as a possible upgrade, finding the kind of difference-maker they need gets a lot harder.
There’s also a bigger concern hanging over the offseason. Dubas has yet to use the trade market to bring in legitimate help, and that failure stands out. If no meaningful moves are coming soon, Pittsburgh looks headed toward another mediocre year.
From Dallas’ side, the move makes sense. The Stars are trying to win a Stanley Cup now, and letting Robertson walk away would have worked against that goal. Keeping him on a short-term deal gives them flexibility, and if they want to, they could have enough cap space next offseason to work out a longer arrangement.
So the story isn’t completely finished. It’s just on hold. Robertson will spend the next year in Dallas, the Penguins will keep watching, and both sides may end up back at the same crossroads next summer.
In Other News...
Penguins Just Added A Goalie Prospect Fans Will Want To Size Up
The Penguins goaltending pipeline picked up a familiar name with a long pro rsum, as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton signed Cam Johnson to an American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 regular season. Johnson arrives with plenty of mileage in both the ECHL and AHL, and his latest stop only strengthened the case for another look after he helped the Florida Everblades capture the Kelly Cup again.
Johnsons postseason run in Florida ended with another championship and a playoff MVP award, the kind of resume line that tends to turn heads in an organization always watching for depth in net. He also brings a championship pedigree that goes back to college, where he was the starter for North Dakotas 2016 NCAA title team, leaving the Penguins with a veteran option whose next chapter is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Suddenly Linked To A Risky Plan B After Missing Out
The Penguins spent the offseason chasing a bigger swing, but Jason Robertson is off the board after re-signing with Dallas, forcing Kyle Dubas to keep working the trade market for another impact piece. One name that has surfaced as a possible fallback is Matthew Knies, a player Dubas knows well from his time with the Maple Leafs and someone who would fit the kind of long-term addition Pittsburgh has been trying to find.
Knies is still viewed as a player with real upside, which is exactly why he would come with a meaningful price tag and plenty of uncertainty. For a Penguins front office trying to balance urgency with patience, the appeal is obvious, but so is the risk if the player they target does not develop the way they hope. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penguins Defenseman Jack Johnson Lands Surprising Coaching Role
Jack Johnsons post-playing career took a sharp turn this week, with the former Penguins defenseman stepping into a new role at Ohio State. The longtime NHL veteran, who spent two seasons in Pittsburgh during his 19-year career, has joined the Buckeyes womens hockey program and said he is excited about the opportunity.
For Ohio State, the hire brings in a recognizable name with pro experience and a fresh voice for a program looking to keep building. Head coach Nadine Muzerall said Johnson should have a positive impact on the team and on recruiting, adding another layer of intrigue to a move that stands out even in a sport where former players often find their next path behind the bench. [Read more 🡒]