Speculation continues to swirl around Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, whose contract status has become one of the major talking points of the 2025 NHL offseason. The 25-year-old winger, fresh off his third consecutive 80+ point season, is eligible for a contract extension. On the surface, re-signing such a consistent scorer should be an easy decision.
However, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill is reportedly hesitant to break the team’s internal salary structure, even for a player of Robertson’s caliber. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the organization’s reluctance is purely financial, not personal, and centers around staying within Nill’s “salary red line.”
Rising Cap and Costly Extensions Challenge Stars’ Long-Term Financial Flexibility and Roster Balance
Robertson remains under contract for one more season at $7.75 million and won’t become an unrestricted free agent until 2027, due to a restricted arbitration year in 2026. This gives the Stars some negotiating leverage, though it doesn’t guarantee a long-term resolution. With the salary cap expected to rise by $8.5 million for 2026-27, the team will eventually have more room to maneuver.
However, Dallas already has six players on big-money contracts through that year, further complicating any large extension for Robertson. The organization appears committed to staying disciplined in its salary cap planning, especially with other key players needing extensions soon.
Jason Robertson (NHL)One of the primary challenges for Dallas is managing future cap space for both Jason Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley, who are both set to become RFAs after next season. Analytics site AFPAnalytics projects an eight-year extension for Robertson at $11.54 million annually, while Harley’s could reach $10.8 million.
These figures would place even more financial strain on a team already exceeding the 2025-26 cap by $1.79 million. If the Stars want to remain contenders, they must find a way to balance elite talent retention with long-term financial sustainability—a difficult task with so many big-ticket contracts on the books.
Dallas Could Act Fast on Robertson Amid Contract Limits and Trade Possibilities
Reports suggest that Dallas may seek a quicker resolution rather than let contract talks drag into next year. Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff believes that a decision on Robertson could come sooner rather than later, whether that means an extension or a potential trade.
Marek also noted that the Stars may be reluctant to hand out long-term, high-paying deals to players who don’t excel in skating—an area where Robertson, while highly productive, doesn’t shine compared to the NHL’s top-tier skaters.
With GM Jim Nill reportedly unwilling to go beyond a set number in the “low double digits,” negotiations could hit an impasse if Robertson seeks closer to the $12 million earned by top-tier comparables like Mikko Rantanen.
Should the Stars pursue a trade, Robertson would attract widespread interest across the league. A deal would likely focus on future assets—prospects and draft picks—given Dallas’s need to avoid taking on significant salary. Teams like the Washington Capitals could emerge as realistic suitors.
Although not directly linked to Robertson yet, the Capitals are reportedly in the market for a high-skill player and possess a rich prospect pool and upcoming draft capital. With Robertson fitting well into Washington’s youth movement and timeline, the Capitals and other similarly positioned teams may be keeping a close eye on Dallas’s next move.
