Major shift to occur in Jason Robertson’s contract stalemate

There is still no contract on the table of 40-goal scorer Jason Robertson, who is still missing from the Dallas Stars’ training camp because the team and the restricted free agent haven’t agreed on a new deal.

Last week, insider Kevin Weekes stated that he “can’t see a new deal between him and Stars below $8.4 million AAV with term.” According to Cap Friendly, the Stars currently have a projected cap space of $6,335,834, which won’t be enough if Weekes is right about the amount of money Robertson will need to sign in Dallas.

While the insider is giving his input, there is still nothing getting done. On Wednesday morning, TSN’s Darren Dreger posted that “it seems like a major shift is going to have to occur for Robertson to start the season in Dallas.” The insider is adamant there is enough time to come to an agreement before puck drops next week.

Last season, Robertson had a base salary of $750,000, the end of a $2.775 million, three-year contract. He still has five more years before he has the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent, but he obviously is looking for more money and surely can command it. He posted 41 goals and 38 assists for 79 points in his 74 games in 2021-22 and has a bright future ahead of him.

We aren’t sure what this major shift will need to be to get things done.

To pressure further the Stars at this time, there are recent reports that the Buffalo Sabres are believed to have inquired about Robertson in potential trade talks.

Is that the major shift? A trade, an offer sheet, what now?

GM Jim Nill in Dallas has made it clear that the Stars are open to a long-term extension or a bridge contract for Robertson.
He didn’t say anything yet about a major shift, but the clock is ticking loudly now. The season gets underway real soon: will Robertson miss puck drop or will he be on the ice at all?