The Dallas Stars season ended in disappointing fashion as they were eliminated from the first round in their 5-2 Game 6 loss to the Minnesota Wild on the road.
This is unusual for this Stars team that is used to going on deep playoff runs in recent memory. In fact, this is the first year Dallas has faced a first round playoff exit since the 2022 season. They had made the western conference finals in each of the previous three years.
Dallas has some big business to take care of this offseason in the hopes of loading up for another run next season. The most important piece to take care of is the impending Jason Robertson extension with the 26-year slated to be the best RFA (Restricted Free Agent) this summer.
Jason Robertson Set for a Major Payday
With Robertson’s $7.75 million deal coming to an end, he will be due for a massive raise on his next contract. The issue for Dallas is they face a murky salary cap situation that will make it tricky to fit Robertson into their books. They just about have the room available via Puck Pedia, but it would leave them with little flexibility to take care of the rest of the roster.
Nevertheless, it sounds more likely than not that Dallas will find a way to make this work and extend their star forward. Via insider Elliotte Friedman: “They’re gonna have to pay him, there’s no question, I’m sure they’ve made that decision already.”
The question then becomes what does this Robertson contract look like? A good comparable could be the Mikko Rantanen deal that was signed last year by the Stars after they acquired his services from the Carolina Hurricanes. Rantanen signed an eight year $12 million contract with the club. Considering Robertson has produced at a similar offensive rate as Rantanen that could be a marker to look at when it comes to projecting this deal.
Robertson is coming off a strong season in which he amassed 45 goals and 51 assists for 96 points in 82 games of regular season play. This production topped his Stars squad. He also recorded five goals and three assists for eight points in six playoff games.
In his 456 game career with the Stars, Robertson has accumulated 213 goals and 277 assists for 490 points in the regular season. In his postseason career, he has registered 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points in 62 games.
Dallas Stars Still Looking to Go All the Way
The Stars have came up short many times this past decade. They have yet to win a Stanley Cup with this group, but they’ve come close. They were narrowly edged in the final against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 prior to Robertson’s arrival. And since he joined the team they have lost three times in the conference finals.
Dallas has consistently been able to ice strong lineups filled with depth that keep them in the hunt. But, they have not been able to go all the way yet. The clock is ticking to bring home a Stanley Cup with this core.
Stars Will Have to Pay Up to Keep Jason Robertson