Insider Reveals Big Gap in Dallas Stars' Offer to Jason Robertson (& Explains Why)

The Dallas Stars are in a tough spot with star forward Jason Robertson. They know they have to re-sign the pending restricted free agent, but with a ton of money on the books, there seems to be a line they won't cross.

Many pundits have speculated that Robertson—who just posted his third 40-goal season—is looking for a contract on par with his teammate, Mikko Rantanen. That would come with a $12 million AAV.

But insider Jeff Marek said on the DFO Rundown this week that the Stars aren't close to that number in the latest talks between the two sides.

I do think that there's a contract that has been out there for Jason Robertson, but he doesn't want it, and that's the Thomas Harley deal.
Here's where the stalemate lurks: It's between the Thomas Harley deal (8 yrs x $10.587M AAV)—and I think Dallas would do that and go full term on it—it's Harley at the bottom, and Mikko Rantanen (8 yrs x $12M) at the top. It's been pretty obvious all season long, the Mikko Rantanen deal still isn't appetizing for Dallas.

Marek then offers some reasoning behind the Stars' reticence to do this deal for Robertson, who, although he is one of the most elite goal scorers in the NHL, is not known for his skating ability.

Insider speculates on reason why Dallas won't come up to Jason Robertson's ask

"Dallas has been burned before going (long) term on players that aren't great skaters," explained Marek. "When it finally starts to go south for them, it goes south quickly... And I think that is one of the sensitivities."

Harley's new eight-year, $84.696 milliion extension kicks in next season and was signed this past October.

In addition to Rantanen at $12M and Harley at $10.587M next season, Dallas also has $9.85M commited to Tyler Seguin, $8.45M to Roope Hintz, $8.45M to Miko Heiskanen, and $8.4M to Wyatt Johnston.

Now, with the official announcement made today by the NHL that the salary cap will indeed go to $104M for next season, perhaps the Stars can see their way clear to come up to Robertson's ask. But so far, they have not done so.

We know that he wants to stay in Dallas, and that the Stars want to keep him. Now, it's a matter of who blinks first.