The Dallas Stars are right in the thick of the NHL’s elite, sitting near the top of the league with 63 points and firmly planted in the Central Division race. But lately, the ride hasn’t been as smooth as their record might suggest. Over their last 11 games, the Stars have stumbled to a 2-5-4 mark-a stretch that’s raised some eyebrows and exposed a few cracks in the armor.
One of the biggest concerns? Offensive depth.
With Tyler Seguin out for the season, the Stars are feeling the absence of one of their more reliable scorers, and it’s starting to show. The top-end talent is still producing, but the lack of consistent secondary scoring has become a real issue as the grind of the season wears on.
And right in the middle of all this is Jason Robertson.
Robertson’s name has been swirling in trade rumors for months, dating back to the offseason when speculation around his future hit a boiling point. But GM Jim Nill held firm, keeping the 26-year-old winger in the fold-and that decision has paid off handsomely.
Robertson has been electric this season, piling up 56 points (27 goals, 29 assists) in just 48 games. He’s been the offensive engine of this team, especially with Seguin sidelined.
But here’s the rub: Robertson is a pending restricted free agent, and with numbers like these, he’s going to command a hefty new deal. That’s where things get complicated for Dallas.
As Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos recently noted, Robertson’s contract situation could force the Stars into some tough decisions-possibly sooner than expected. While a trade feels more likely in the offseason, the possibility of a deadline move can’t be ruled out entirely, especially if the right offer lands on Nill’s desk.
So, who’s circling?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams linked to Robertson, with chatter around a potential reunion between Jason and his brother Nick gaining some traction. It’s a fun storyline, but the big question is whether Toronto has the assets-and the cap flexibility-to make a deal work.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have also been floated as a potential destination. While nothing is concrete, the idea isn’t far-fetched.
The Pens have cap room to play with and are very much in the playoff picture, with Sidney Crosby and the core group still performing at a high level. Adding a dynamic scorer like Robertson could be a game-changer for them.
Then there’s the Chicago Blackhawks, who reportedly showed interest when the Stars gauged Robertson’s market over the summer. And don’t sleep on the Carolina Hurricanes, either. They’ve never shied away from bold moves, and they’ve already done business with Dallas on a blockbuster scale before.
Still, it’s hard to imagine the Stars moving their second-leading scorer in the middle of a season where they clearly have Stanley Cup ambitions. But hockey is a business, and this is the kind of contract situation that doesn’t just go away. Whether it’s at the deadline or in the summer, Dallas will eventually have to make a call on Robertson’s future-and the rest of the league will be watching closely.
For now, the Stars are chasing a Cup, and Robertson is a huge part of that pursuit. But the clock is ticking, and the decisions ahead could shape the franchise for years to come.