The Dallas Stars' re-signing of Jason Robertson doesn't mean that he is committed to the organization. In fact, the one-year, $12 million deal actually leans more toward the idea that he is looking for a free pass out of Dallas at the end of this season, and the New Jersey Devils might be the benefactor of his desire for a change of scenery.
Robertson already turned down a contract from the Seattle Kraken this offseason, which would've made him one of the highest-paid players in the league. The terms of a trade for the high-scoring winger for every team in the league were the promise of a long-term contract extension, but when Robertson declined, all trades fell through. Robertson is clearly trying to control where he spends the majority of the rest of his career.
By signing a lower-value one-year deal with the Stars, Robertson will now become a UFA once that contract ends. He will then be able to decide where he wants to go next July, which is obviously the purpose of signing for just one year. However, signing for only $12 million makes him an easier target for any contending teams at the trade deadline, which the Devils hope to be.
The Devils currently have just $3.85 million in cap space heading into the season, which makes it a little more difficult to get a trade done, but a contending Dallas team would likely need to have some NHL players coming back if they were going to trade Robertson. The cap dump from those players might still make it difficult for New Jersey to fit him in, which makes next offseason as a free agent when New Jersey has $35 million projected cap space seem like a better opportunity.
Jason Robertson is exactly who he thinks he is, by the way.
— The Mug NHL (@TheMugNHL) June 26, 2026
If Robo asked for $15 million AAV, the response should be “yessir, anything else?”
One of the best in the NHL, and it’s not up for discussion. pic.twitter.com/796jBb4Ndv
There is a strong chance that Robertson will not be a Dallas Star in 12 months. The winger will have plenty of suitors, and the Devils may not be the frontrunner, but it is by no means outside the realm of possibility that he joins Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.
Robertson has said that he grew up rooting for the Devils, and while that's not always the deciding factor once these players become adults, it does have its consideration. Add that to the clear need for a superstar winger in New Jersey, and the fit might just be perfect.
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