The Dallas Stars' elimination from the Western Conference final last month prompted media speculation about whether significant off-season roster changes were coming.
With less than $5 million in cap space, some observers raise the possibility of Jason Robertson becoming a cost-cutting trade candidate.
Robertson, 25, has been the Stars' most consistent scorer since his full-time rookie debut in 2020-21, leading the club with 168 goals and 225 assists for 393 points in 371 regular-season games. During that period, he led them in scoring in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and finished second in the other three seasons.
Earning an average annual value of $7.75 million on his current contract, Robertson will seek a significant raise on his next deal. He is a year away from RFA eligibility with arbitration rights and could become a UFA in 2027 if he seeks a one-year extension.
Robertson's lack of no-trade protection and his changing role since the acquisition of winger Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline were cited as reasons why he could be shopped this summer. However, a Postmedia report earlier this month claimed the Stars hadn't expressed interest in moving Robertson and hadn't held any trade talks with other clubs.
On Friday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said he believed everything that was reported about the possibility of the Stars' willingness to entertain offers for Robertson was true. However, a source informed him that the club was “dialling this back a little.”
Meanwhile, Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News reported the Stars weren't prioritizing trading Robertson, calling the reports “completely overblown.” She added that management would have to be blown away by an offer to consider it.
With the salary cap projected to reach $95.5 million for 2025-26, a rival club with plenty of trade capital seeking a top-line scoring winger could make an irresistible offer for Robertson. However, it's more likely that the Stars will find other ways to free up cap space.
Speaking of teams in need of cap space, the Colorado Avalanche's re-signing of Brock Nelson earlier this month left them with $1.2 million available for next season with 19 active roster players under contract.
That sparked conjecture suggesting Martin Necas as a cost-cutting candidate. The 26-year-old winger was acquired in January from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Rantanen trade. He has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $6.5 million and lacks no-trade protection.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman doesn't believe the Avalanche necessarily needs to free up cap space and thinks they feel the same way. He felt there wasn't much they needed to do to prepare for next season.
Logan O'Connor's recent hip surgery likely accounts for that belief. The 28-year-old right winger recently underwent hip surgery and could be out for five to six months. The Avalanche could put him and his $2.5 million average annual value on long-term injured reserve to start the season if they need some short-term cap relief.
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