The Dallas Stars are making a long-term contract extension for their star forward, Jason Robertson, a top priority this upcoming summer. General Manager Jim Nill recently reiterated the team’s commitment to Robertson during an appearance on NHL Network’s “NHL First Shift,” where he spoke with EJ Hradek and Dan Rosen.
Nill addressed the specifics of Robertson’s contract situation, noting that the player has one year remaining as a restricted free agent (RFA) before he would become eligible for unrestricted free agency (UFA). He revealed that initial discussions about a new deal began last summer but were intentionally put on hold to allow Robertson to concentrate fully on the ongoing season and playoffs.
“We started discussions with Jason last summer, so we’ve kept in touch,” Nill explained. “In the end, we decided, let’s table this. Let’s go have a good year, let’s have a good playoff, and we’ll make this work.”
The General Manager underscored Robertson’s critical role within the organization. “He’s a big part of our team. He’s one of the leading scorers in the league, and he’s really in the prime of his career,” Nill emphasized. “So a priority for us is to get him signed this summer and move on.”
Despite previous speculation that had surrounded Robertson’s future, including various trade rumors and concerns about fitting his salary under the cap (especially following the significant eight-year, $12 million AAV contract signed by Mikko Rantanen), Nill has consistently maintained a firm stance on securing Robertson long-term. Communication channels between the Stars and Robertson’s representatives have remained open throughout. The organization views Robertson as a foundational player, crucial for the next decade, who can significantly contribute to their ultimate goal of bringing the Stanley Cup to Dallas.
