5 Landing Spots for Jason Robertson Amid NHL Trade Deadline Rumors
The Dallas Stars are among the top teams in the Western Conference and are considered among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. However, the future of Jason Robertson remains a topic of conversation among hockey pundits.
A gifted offensive forward, the 26-year-old has been among the Stars' top players since his 2020-21 rookie season, when he was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Since then, he has been their overall scoring leader with 195 goals, 253 assists, and 448 points.
Robertson's contract made him the subject of trade speculation after the Stars' third straight elimination from the Western Conference Final last spring. He's in the final year of that four-year deal with an average annual value of $7.8 million. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.
Rumors suggested the left wing could be moved in a cost-cutting trade. However, Stars general manager Jim Nill dismissed the conjecture during training camp last September. He said he had no intention of trading him, insisting that both sides had plenty of time to negotiate a new contract.
Nevertheless, the speculation has persisted. On Jan. 7, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos claimed Robertson could seek an AAV of over $12 million, which is more than what teammate Mikko Rantanen is earning on his eight-year deal. That could force Dallas to move him.
With the Stars in "win-now" mode, they're unlikely to trade Robertson this season. Kypreos acknowledged it could be more of an offseason move. It might not happen at all if Dallas convinces Robertson to accept a lower salary, or if it free up cap room elsewhere to retain him.
Here's a look at five potential landing spots for Robertson if the Stars decide they cannot afford to retain his services.
Carolina Hurricanes
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Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky has shown a willingness for bold moves. Last January, he acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in a three-team, multi-player trade, then shipped him to the Dallas Stars six weeks later when he wouldn't agree to a contract extension.
Tulsky could attempt another major move by the March 6 trade deadline. If there's nothing available at that time, he could cast his eyes toward the offseason when there may be better options.
Robertson could be a prime target for the Carolina GM. Thanks to the Rantanen deal, he already has a recent trade history with the Stars. He and Dallas general manager Jim Nill could sort out another major move.
The Hurricanes have $15.2 million in projected cap space for 2026-27 with 19 active roster players under contract. However, Tulsky must ensure he has sufficient room to re-sign restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin and UFA-eligible goalie Brandon Bussi.
Tulsky might not part with his 2026 first-round pick because he only has two six-rounders after that. He could offer up his 2027 first-rounder, plus a prospect such as Bradly Nadeau or Felix Unger Sorum. Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi could also be part of the pitch to free up more cap space for the Hurricanes.
Detroit Red Wings
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It's been nine seasons since the Detroit Red Wings last made the playoffs. They're currently jockeying for first place in the Eastern Conference, but general manager Steve Yzerman could attempt to add another scoring forward to improve his club's chances of ending its long postseason drought.
Yzerman could also turn to the offseason trade market to bolster the Red Wings' offense if there's nothing suitable to acquire at the trade deadline. Robertson could become a prime target.
Since taking over as general manager in 2019, Yzerman has patiently built up the Detroit roster. However, he has made a bold move or two, most notably his acquisitions of Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane in 2023.
The Red Wings have plenty of salary-cap space to pursue Robertson this summer, carrying a projected $42.7 million with 14 active roster players signed. It will also leave sufficient room to re-sign restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson and fill out the rest of their roster.
To acquire Robertson, Yzerman could include his 2026 first-round pick in the deal. Young roster players such as Emmitt Finnie or Marco Kasper could be part of the Stars' asking price, along with a prospect like goaltender Trey Augustine or a forward such as Carter Bear or Nate Danielson.
Los Angeles Kings
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Longtime Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar is retiring at the end of this season. That will leave this low-scoring club in need of someone who can replace its departing captain's offense.
The Kings will prefer finding a center, but they could address that need in a separate deal.
Bringing in a hometown player such as Robertson could be the answer. He's in his prime and could be a good fit alongside first-line right wing Adrian Kempe. The Stars might not prefer sending him to a Western Conference rival, but L.A. might be able to make a tempting offer.
The Kings have a projected $26.9 million in salary-cap space for 2026-27 with 17 active roster players under contract and promising defenseman Brandt Clarke as their only priority signing. They would have plenty of cap room to sign Robertson to a lucrative extension.
With two picks in the second, third and sixth rounds of this year's draft, L.A. can draw on any combination of those to include in an offer for Robertson. The Stars may prefer its 2026 first-rounder, along with a top prospect such as Liam Greentree or Vojtěch Čihař, and a young roster player such as Alex Laferriere.
The Kings could fall short if there's a bidding war for Robertson. They could also put their focus on adding depth at the center position. Still, the opportunity to land a skilled offensive star in his prime could be irresistible.
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New York Rangers
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New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury has been busy reshaping his roster since last season. He's shipped out veterans who no longer fit into the club's long-term plans in return for players who can provide more immediate help.
A major change could be coming soon if Drury and left wing Artemi Panarin cannot agree to a contract extension. The left wing has been the Rangers' top scorer since he joined them in 2019, but he's reportedly unwilling to accept less than his current $11.6 million annual cap hit to stay in New York.
If Drury is forced to move the 34-year-old by the March trade deadline, he'll likely be in the market for a suitable replacement. He could prefer to wait until the offseason, when someone like Robertson could be available.
Cap space for 2026-27 won't be an issue. The Rangers have a projected $29 million with 18 active roster players under contract. They may not be keen to pay an aging star such as Panarin over $11 million annually on a long-term deal, but it could be a different story for Robertson, who turns 27 on July 22.
The Rangers could offer one of the two first-round picks they hold in this year's draft, one of which could be the Stars' first-rounder that was part of the Mikko Rantanen trade with the Hurricanes. They could also include young winger Brennan Othmann or 2020 first-overall pick Alexis Lafrenière in the deal.
Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Toronto Maple Leafs finished in first place in the Atlantic Division last season, but they're currently jockeying with several other clubs for a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. They're also only seven points out of last place.
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos indicated the Maple Leafs have limited assets to make a major trade. He noted they used promising forward Easton Cowan as a trade chip last season in a failed attempt to land St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn.
Kypreos doesn't expect the Maple Leafs to move Cowan now, but didn't rule out the possibility of doing so for the right return. He suggested Robertson could be an option, pointing out they have the cap room in 2026-27 ($20.1 million) to pay him the big raise he reportedly seeks.
Robertson's younger brother, Nick, has been a full-time winger with the Maple Leafs for the past three seasons. He'll also be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The possibility of playing alongside Nick could be a strong enticement for Jason, as could the opportunity to play alongside superstar center Auston Matthews.
Kypreos felt it could cost the Leafs a package offer of Cowan, defense prospect Ben Danford, "plus more" to land Robertson. He wondered if they had the stomach to make that move. With the Leafs spinning their wheels for most of this season, such a bold move cannot be ruled out.
Stats and standings via NHL.com. Salary cap and contract info via PuckPedia.
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