Jason Robertson is staying in Dallas, and the price tag is a big one.
The Stars forward has agreed to a one-year deal with a $12,000,000 cap hit/AAV, pushing him to unrestricted free agency at the end of the contract. He will be eligible on January 1, 2027 to sign a long-term extension with Dallas.
His arbitration date had been set for July 25, but that no longer matters after the deal came together. Robertson’s agent had said his preference was to remain in Dallas, and that is exactly how this played out.
For Pittsburgh, it is another missed opportunity in a summer that has already carried that theme. Kyle Dubas made the swing, but the trade never got over the line. The source of the stall appears to have been draft-pick value, with Dallas seeking picks and Dubas unwilling to move high-end ones.
That approach has drawn criticism because the Penguins are trying to contend now, while holding onto picks that may not help for several years. The roster still has obvious holes on defense, too many forwards, and dead weight that needs to be moved out.
Names such as Elias Pettersson and Shane Wright are being floated as examples of the kind of players Pittsburgh could still pursue if it decides to actually upgrade the roster.
As for Robertson, the expectation is that this could still end in a much longer Dallas commitment down the road. A seven-year extension on January 1, 2027 or later in the season is the likeliest path, and Dallas should have the money to make that kind of payday happen. If Robertson becomes available again, Pittsburgh may take another run at him, but the odds of that happening are slim.
What Dallas could not do this time was lock him up long term, even though the plan and pitch were apparently clear in the final talks.
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Penguins Are Making Another Risky Bet Fans Know Too Well
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Samuel Girard and Owen Pickering are among the players expected to help fill the left-side void, while the depth chart behind them remains a work in progress. Pittsburgh also has prospects pushing for larger roles and limited NHL experience sprinkled into the mix, which leaves the back end with more questions than answers as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]