Report: Hurricanes Turned Down Jason Robertson Deal From Dallas Stars

They're likely not regretting it now, as they drink from Lord Stanley's mug, but the Carolina Hurricanes reportedly could have had Jason Robertson from the Dallas Stars, but turned it down in favor of Logan Stankoven.

Insider Chris Johnston tells us the story, going back to the 2025 trade deadline, when the Hurricanes had a big decision to make with their huge recent trade acquisition Mikko Rantanen.

Once it was clear he wasn't gonna sign an extension before the (trade) deadline, they went out and made a second move. When they were talking to Dallas at the deadline (about flipping Rantanen to them), the Carolina Hurricanes could have had Jason Robertson in that trade, I believe. And they actually prioritized and chose Stankoven over Robertson, I think because they felt that he would fit in better with their system.

And there was Stankoven in these 2026 playoffs, leading the Canes in goal scoring, with 11. He also handed out 42 hits in 19 playoff games, not far off from his regular-season total. The 23-year-old registered 21 goals and 44 points for the regular campaign, and signed an eight-year extension with a $6M AAV, which kicks in next season. 

Johnston notes that they also ended up getting two first-round picks from Dallas in that trade along with Stankoven, and they turned one of them, in part, into K'Andre Miller (in a trade with the NY Rangers). 

"Arguably, they might be better off without Mikko Rantanen," Johnston added. "Stankoven fits so well, and K'Andre Miller is now there for years to come (on an 8-year deal at a $7.5M AAV), and they still have an extra first-round pick."

Yes, watching them hoist the Stanley Cup earlier this week, you could definitely say that the Hurricanes did quite well for themselves in that whole transaction.

Now it's the Dallas Stars' problem to have to figure out if/how they can retain Robertson, a restricted free agent who wants a contract worth north of a $12M AAV.