Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson Linked to Metropolitan Team

Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson reacts after scoring a goal

The Dallas Stars are going to have some salary cap challenges this summer. With top scorer Jason Robertson a restricted free agent, extension talks haven't gained much traction to this point. He's projected to command a $12 million AAV, putting him in the company of the team's current highest-salaried employee, Mikko Rantanen.

And it's hard to argue against Robertson being worth that much. He's recorded his third 40-goal season this year and has been well over a point-per-game player in his six NHL seasons.

General Manager Jim Nill has stated that extending Robertson is a priority, but things could get a little dicey as the Stars figure out how to make it fit in their cap structure.

With the potential looming threat of an offer sheet from other teams this offseason, it's possible that Dallas could put Robertson on the trade market. If that happens, Josh Yohe of The Athletic can see the Pittsburgh Penguins taking a 'big swing' at landing the Stars' All-Star scorer.

I’ve written this before, and I’ll say it again: If Jason Robertson is made available this summer, I expect Penguins GM/president Kyle Dubas to be first in line. He wants to take big swings on young talent, and if (Robertson) becomes available, there likely won’t be a better or younger player out there within the next year.
I know Dubas loves Robertson’s game. The Penguins have all the trade pieces necessary, and they have the cap space to give him a massive deal. I would assume the Stars would rather trade him to the East.

The Penguins have had an unexpected renaissance campaign, currently with a magic number of just 2 points with four games to play to clinch a playoff spot. They sit second in the Metro Division, four points up on the Philadelphia Flyers in third, and six points up on the next closest team that could knock them out of a playoff spot, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Everything has come up aces for the Penguins in their top-six this season, with the addition of Egor Chinakhov turning out to be a stroke of genius by Dubas, while Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell all resuming their usual scoring exploits. But imagine adding Robertson's Star-studded offense to that group.

Yes, Robertson wants to stay in Dallas. And as noted above, the feeling is mutual. But with all their other big-money contracts already on the books, this could get complicated.

As Yohe notes, "He’s a star. But will he be a Star much longer?"