Jason Robertson’s future with the Dallas Stars is currently a major talking point in the NHL. With one year left on his $7.75 million AAV contract and restricted free agency looming, speculation around a potential trade is growing. The likelihood of Robertson remaining a Star feels like a 50/50 proposition.
Though Dallas is cautious about moving such a high-value player Robertson has scored 151 goals in four seasons they must weigh the long-term cost and cap implications.
Dallas can technically stay under the cap with Robertson this season. However, big financial decisions loom in 2026–27 when the cap rises to $104 million and Tyler Seguin’s $9.85 million contract expires. Seguin could return on a cheaper deal, as Jamie Benn did recently, giving the Stars some breathing room. Still, future contract negotiations will require precise planning, especially if the Stars hope to keep their core intact.
Stars Face Tough Call: Keep Robertson and Harley or Explore Sign-and-Trade Options
One of Dallas’ toughest decisions could come down to choosing between re-signing Robertson or defenseman Thomas Harley, both RFAs after this season. Harley is a rising star on the blue line, and if the front office believes keeping both would compromise other roster needs, one might be let go. But the team could also explore ways to retain both players, though that would likely come with difficult sacrifices elsewhere.
Jason Robertson (NHL)If Dallas does opt to trade Robertson, a sign-and-trade deal similar to Mitch Marner’s scenario with Vegas could benefit them. Letting the acquiring team negotiate a deal beforehand would maximize return value. However, some teams may be confident enough in signing Robertson later, skipping the pre-negotiation process—though this carries risk, as seen in the Rantanen-Carolina situation.
Cap Crunches and Roster Decisions Shape Panthers, Canadiens, and Islanders’ 2025 Season Outlook
The Florida Panthers face a different type of roster challenge, being $3.725 million over the cap. Forward Evan Rodrigues, with a $3 million AAV, is a prime trade candidate. While valuable, he might be the cost of retaining stars like Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad. Another short-term option is placing Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR due to his offseason injuries, but that only delays the inevitable cap reckoning when Tkachuk returns.
For the Montreal Canadiens, Mike Matheson’s future is uncertain despite being a current cornerstone on defense. With emerging stars like Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, and promising young players like David Reinbacher, Montreal could soon face a roster crunch. Matheson is due a new contract and may ask for more than his current $4.875 million AAV. Whether he fits into Montreal’s long-term plans depends largely on performance and cap priorities.
The New York Islanders could be a surprise playoff contender. With the healthy return of Mathew Barzal and the additions of Maxim Shabanov and Jonathan Drouin, their offense is deeper than in recent years. Though the loss of Dobson on defense is a concern, prospects like Matthew Schaefer could help fill the void. In a wide-open Metropolitan Division, the Islanders’ strong goaltending gives them a realistic shot at a playoff berth.
