Stars Start Free Agency With Vetoed Trades and Uncertainty
All eyes are on the Dallas Stars this week as Free Agency approaches. Canada Day always falls on the start of NHL Free Agency, rather fittingly.
As both the United States and Canada light off fireworks during this week, many NHL teams look to do the same.
The long saga of Jason Robertson is still going. The question of whether he will or won’t stay on the Dallas Stars is on everyone’s mind. One rumor about a trade involving someone else is picking up steam.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are highly touted trade partners with the Stars, but their chances crumbled late Tuesday night. A trade may just very well be in the works to find the money for the Stars to keep Robertson.
The odds of him staying are slowly increasing as we head into Free Agency. Robertson wants to stay with the Stars, who may sacrifice another.
A gargantuan trade involving the Stars is absolutely certain; the only question is who?
Robertson Money
It’s no secret that the approximately $10.1 million in cap space is not enough to sign Robertson. Many teams are offering the Stars trade packages to get him. Any trade involves him signing a contract extension with that team. Allegedly, the Seattle Kraken offered the Stars a package in which Robertson turned down a reported $15.625 million AAV salary.
The Blues, Penguins, and Hurricanes are also linked to talks.
Who knows what happens when Free Agency opens? It seems like Robertson wants to stay, and it will take between $12.5 million and $14 million to keep him. I wouldn’t give up hope that Robertson will remain on the team quite yet. They’ll need to find money elsewhere.
Another Trade
One name being shopped around is Thomas Harley, being linked to Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets. His $9.5 million year is a small step down from Harley’s $10.587 million. The Blue Jackets may also retain some of his salary if the Stars can match or exceed the offer. Late Tuesday night, reports say that Werenski vetoed a trade to the Stars because of his NMC, as if that doesn’t make this offseason any more complicated. Jim Nill is working to make this whole situation work.
Other issues are rapidly arising. Mavrik Bourque is also an RFA and may receive an offer sheet. The next 24 hours are so gargantuanly important for the Stars. Either Thomas Harley or Jason Robertson is being dealt. Multiple trades are being vetoed. The Stars want an established player for each of them. Jim Nill’s 13 years as a General Manager led to this moment, and the magic he’ll try to pull off.
Zach Werenski vetoed his trade to the Stars; oh well. Now what?
The Stars can’t afford Robertson based on cap space. They tried to make cap space, but Werenski vetoed the trade.
Free Agency hits this afternoon, and so let loose the dogs of war.
Get the coffee pot going in the Stars’ office. Another trade may appear on Wednesday morning. This is a stalemate situation with the cap.
July 1st begins the Free Agency period, and the Stars have a massive amount of work to do.
Other teams may send an offer sheet, meaning the Stars must act fast.
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