Jason Robertson’s Saga Will Continue
Jason Robertson is a major franchise player for the Dallas Stars.
He is the most consistent offensive producer regardless of the time of year.
Throughout last season, the focus was on whether the Stars would sign him to a contract extension. This offseason, in the 11th hour, they signed him to a 1-year, $12 million contract extension.
This contract brings new opportunities and problems.
Stars fans will go through it all again this season.
Buckle up because this season is a long one.
Last Season
Jason Robertson was nearing the end of his contract when he entered free agency, albeit restricted free agency. At one point, Robertson looked all but gone, reportedly receiving multiple contract and trade offers. That has shifted in the Stars’ favor. He rejected a reported 8-year, $15 million AAV contract with other teams to stay in Dallas.
Regardless of the situation, the Stars would have received a major return haul if he went to another team. The prospect of a return is now over, as he will enter unrestricted free agency next offseason. Many can consider his 1-year deal a bridge contract, but the Stars can afford him next season.
The Money
The problem wasn’t that the Stars couldn’t afford him, but that the salary cap prevented a major contract. Next season changes all that. Tyler Seguin’s $9.85 million AAV contract is a splurge and takes up a significant share of the team’s cap space. That will come off the books next season. Pairing that with a massive increase in the salary cap next season allows the Stars to extend Robertson to a long-term contract if they desire.
The NHL season starts with preseason action this month, and the Stars have spent more than the salary cap allows. They must free up about $1.3 million in cap space before the season starts. One cap-dump trade will almost certainly keep them compliant.
This Season
Once again, Jason Robertson is in a contract year. We all know that he performs immaculately in the regular season and playoffs. He will certainly be in the conversation with 100-point NHL players. He is an established offensive leader on a team looking to wash away the stink of last year’s first-round playoff exit.
The Stars are consistently a playoff favorite looking to compete in the Stanley Cup Final. Robertson will lead the team to that hopeful inevitability.
Jason Robertson will remain a Dallas Star for at least one more year.
The situation around his contract extension is far more favorable this season, as the Stars have the money to afford him.
The season begins early next month, and we’ll find out what the future holds as the Stars start to take the ice.
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Categorized:Stars