On Monday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman went around the league on his podcast, 32 Thoughts, delivering subtle notes and reports on what's going on in each market, with his segment on the Dallas Stars proving especially notable. 

Friedman started by pointing to several bombshell stories, including Zach Werenski and Jason Robertson both reportedly vetoing trades this offseason, and explained that some teams were surprised by what was happening in the Lone Star State. He noted it was the first time in quite some time that other clubs had described the Stars as looking "unsettled" to him.

Friedman did note that Dallas still feels confident in its team and that the two sides remain locked in talks to bring Robertson back into the fold. He added that if Robertson and the Stars end up heading to arbitration, Robertson could end up breaking a league record with whatever deal comes out of it. 

Back in 2011, Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber was awarded the largest arbitration deal in NHL history, a one-year, $7.5 million contract, and Friedman suggested that if Robertson's case reaches an arbitrator, his number would likely blow that record out of the water given where the salary landscape sits today.

Friedman also revisited just how close Robertson came to leaving Dallas altogether, reiterating that the winger turned down a massive sign-and-trade agreement with the Seattle Kraken that would have paid him $120 million, because he wants to stay in Dallas for the rest of his career. 

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Friedman said there was more than one offer presented to Robertson that he ultimately turned down, though he didn't go into further detail on what those other offers looked like.

If Robertson is awarded a record-breaking arbitration deal, it's worth noting that a no-move clause wouldn't come attached to a one-year award, which could technically leave the door open for him to be moved even after going through the process. 

Whether the Stars can find a way to get a long-term deal done before Robertson potentially loses that protection remains to be seen, but Friedman once again reiterated that the two sides are still roughly $2 million apart in contract negotiations as the situation continues to play out.

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