Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars is becoming an elite forward. He is cementing himself as a fan favorite with his over point-per-game pace this season. Fans got a dose of his magic last season when he placed 2nd in the Calder Trophy race for Rookie of the Year. The offensive spark catapulted everyone on his line to the top point scorers of the team. His 100th game ended Friday night with him recording a hat trick. The Stars must re-sign him this offseason. Pay him whatever he wants.
Nicknamed Robo, he completed his 100th NHL game Friday night in Winnipeg. The Stars are now in the Wildcard #1 spot. He scored the final Stars goal of the season last year in a playoff-less effort. Could we see him shine in the playoffs this year? Time can only tell. What if he scores the Stanley Cup game-winning goal in overtime for the Stars? You heard it here first.
Robo Turns on the Jets against the Jets
Robertson scored his first career hat trick in century-mark game #100. He stepped on the ice 1:37 before his goal. The Winnipeg Jets missed a shot and Robertson got a break. He found extra gas in the tank to score the game-winner. There was no celebration as he dove towards the corner and took a “nap” after a long shift. Stars fans love him with jersey sales increasing after each heroic moment. There are lots of these moments already.
Restricted Free Agent
The offseason is right around the corner and it’s a busy one for Jim Nill. Robertson is an upcoming free agent but a restricted one. The Stars have rights to him because of his age. The 22-year old can sign with another team after they pay a heavy price. They have to provide Dallas with draft picks if they want to offer sheet him. It depends on how much they pay him. $6.16 million means they give up a 1st, 2nd, 3rd Round draft pick. (NYI, TBL, PHI, BUF, VGK, and WPG do not have this). The offer sheet scenario is moot because the Stars are crazy if they don’t re-sign him, right?
“That kid is going to get paid man! I mean paid!” -Daryl Reaugh, Stars Color Analyst
John Malkovich in the Matt Damon movie Rounders said it best. “Pay that man, pay that man his money.” Robertson is going to get a fat contract at the season’s end. He’s earned it too. 97 points in his first 100 NHL games is a staggering number. 26 goals in 46 games lead the team this year. A 40 goal season maybe even 50 is on the horizon. The sky is the limit for his offensive capabilities.
Stars fans are lucky to have this player on the team. He appeared out of nowhere and is turning into a superstar. The 2017 NHL Entry Draft will go a long way for the Stars, drafting Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Robertson. If they re-sign all these players, buckle up your seatbelts. This is a fun 10 years. The Stanley Cup is not far off.
Photo Credit: NHL Twitter
