Report: Stars’ Jason Robertson to file for arbitration
Jason Robertson is going to arbitration.
Amidst a well-documented contract negotiation, the Dallas Stars winger will be opting for player-elected arbitration to get a new deal done, according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman.
Robertson has indicated he will file for arbitration, which will also eliminate the possibility of an offer sheet for him 5 ET is official deadline. If eligible players do not go this route, teams have until tomorrow to decide if they will
Jason Robertson has until 4 p.m. CT today to file for arbitration. If that’s where this is headed, Robertson and the Stars could end up reaching a one-year deal that walks him straight into unrestricted free agency next summer.
Robertson had until 5 p.m. EST on Sunday to elect for arbitration, but does so earlier on in the afternoon. While the deadline for players is on Sunday, teams can elect for arbitration on Monday.
Robertson is a restricted free agent after the conclusion of his four-year contract with a $7,750,000. He is one year away from unrestricted free agency, meaning that if he and the Stars fail to agree to a new contract before arbitration, the Arcadia, California product will be signed to a one-year deal, walking him to free agency next summer.
By electing for arbitration, Robertson is also no longer eligible for an offer sheet, so he will remain with the Stars for at least next season. The Stars had looked to trade him, with the Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues among the teams reportedly close to completing deals, but Robertson indicated that he would not sign with either team.
It’s created an interesting situation where Robertson wants to get paid, but clearly wants to do it with the Stars, considering the Kraken had offered him a reported $15 million AAV compared to his reported $14 million ask with Dallas. The Stars probably wouldn’t mind signing him more than their reported ask of $12 million, but are limited by their salary cap this season, as they have $9,789,667 according to PuckPedia. However, they will have significantly more space next season when the often-injured and aging Tyler Seguin’s $9.85 million cap hit is off their books.
Robertson is coming off of his best seasons since his 109-point campaign in 2022-23, as he had 45 goals and 51 assists for 96 points in 82 games with the Stars this season. He also had his best playoff showing with five goals and three assists for eight points in six games.
The Stars have had a quiet offseason, largely because they need to keep their options open until after Robertson’s situation is determined. So far, they’re only lost pieces, as they had to move on from Ilya Lyubushkin and pending RFA Mavrik Bourque to clear out cap space for Robertson. Their only addition thus far has been signing Joel Kiviranta.