Jason Robertson reportedly turns down a massive contract offer from Stars

After years and years of trade speculation, it looks like the rubber might finally meet the road with regards to Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars.

Robertson is a pending restricted free agent and there has been speculation that he's unwilling to sign a long-term contract with the Stars at market value. Today, ESPN insider Emily Kaplan is reporting that Robertson has rejected a long-term, eight year deal worth $12 million per season submitted by the team earlier this week.

From Kaplan:

It's one of the biggest questions around the league, as Robertson is a restricted free agent. According to one NHL source, the Stars had offered Robertson a contract of eight years with $12 million AAV, which would match the contract they handed Mikko Rantanen after acquiring the winger from the Hurricanes. Multiple reports have speculated that Robertson could be seeking upward of $14 million AAV -- the same cap number his new agent, Andy Scott, secured for Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton two years ago.

Like Kaplan reports, this is the exact offer that the Stars signed forward Mikko Rantanen to just a year ago. However, Robertson is insisting on earning a deal similar to the one that fellow Andy Scott client Leon Draisaitl signed with the Edmonton Oilers two years ago. You may recall that Draisaitl signed an eight year deal worth $14 million.

To be perfectly frank, I love Robertson as a player. He's an outstanding winger. He is, however, not Draisaitl. Not even close really. Draisaitl is arguably the best winger in the NHL and he has multiple 100+ point seasons under his belt. So, while I respect Robertson as a player and I wish him the best on getting as much as he can on a new deal, to compare him to Draisaitl in any way is foolish in my eyes.