Jason Robertson Turns Down Massive Sign-And-Trade From Blues
Per Jeff Marek, the Blues attempted to acquire Robertson with a trade package that included multiple first-round picks, but the deal collapsed because Robertson preferred not to sign in St. Louis.
The Blues own picks No. 11, 15, 16, and 29 in the first round of the June 26-27 draft in Buffalo, giving them the draft capital to construct exactly that kind of monster offer.
It did not matter.
Robertson, who controls his future as a restricted free agent seeking a long-term deal, had no interest in committing to St. Louis regardless of what the Blues were willing to surrender to get him.
The Kraken Got Even Closer and Still Got Nothing
That's two teams in one night.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Seattle Kraken had a sign-and-trade essentially in place, having been granted permission to negotiate with Robertson's agent Andy Scott, and offered him an eight-year contract worth $15 million per season.
Robertson declined.
That $15 million annual salary would have made him the second-highest-paid player in the NHL next season, narrowly edging the $14 million Leon Draisaitl is set to earn in Edmonton.
Sources indicating the St Louis Blues offered a package that included multiple first round picks to the Dallas Stars for Jason Robertson but he is not interested in signing there.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) June 26, 2026
The Kraken's offer reportedly would have sent the No. 7 overall pick to Dallas as part of the framework, but Robertson did not want to sign in Seattle, and no amount of money was going to change that.
Frank Seravalli added that the Toronto Maple Leafs attempted to insert themselves into the Kraken-Stars discussions by offering Matthew Knies to Dallas in hopes of landing Seattle's seventh-overall pick, another wrinkle that ultimately went nowhere.
Robertson has also told the Ottawa Senators he would not be willing to sign there.
Why This Is Happening
Robertson is the top restricted free agent on the board this offseason and one of the best players available through any avenue.
He posted 96 points in 82 games this past season, continuing a run of elite production as a perennial point-per-game scorer entering the prime of his career.
The hold-up is money.
Greg Wyshynski of ESPN reported the Stars previously offered Robertson an eight-year deal with a $12 million AAV that was declined, with indications that Robertson was seeking at least $14 million per year even before Seattle's $15 million offer surfaced.
The Blues offered Dallas multiple first-round picks for Jason Robertson, but the deal fell apart after he told St. Louis he had no interest in signing there 😳
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) June 26, 2026
(via @JeffMarek) pic.twitter.com/LEZZb6HnK0
The two sides are believed to be at least $2 million apart annually.
The Stars reportedly cannot stomach making Robertson the highest-paid player on a roster that already carries significant commitments, which is the core tension driving the entire situation.
One NHL executive who inquired told reporters Dallas was seeking a Mikko Rantanen-type package in return, a reference to the two protected first-round picks, two third-round picks, and young center Logan Stankoven that Dallas sent Carolina in that earlier blockbuster.
Where It Goes From Here
The Stars are now working multiple angles at once.
Per Pierre LeBrun, Dallas is circling back to teams that had shown interest in Robertson while also keeping dialogue open on trying to sign him, attempting to keep every avenue available.
LeBrun added that the Chicago Blackhawks are among several teams that have inquired and are doing their due diligence, with Chicago holding the draft capital and offer-sheet ammunition to be a legit player in trade talks.
With the first round set for Friday night, the Robertson situation has injected trade-deadline-level chaos into draft week.
He is the biggest name on the board, multiple suitors have already been told no, and the team that finally lands him will be the one he actually wants to sign with, not simply the one willing to pay the steepest price, as we're seeing.
