Stars Avoid Arbitration by Signing Jason Robertson to 1-Year Deal

The stalemate has finally come to an end as Jason Robertson signed a one-year, $12 million contract to stay with the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. With the deal, the two sides avoid an arbitration hearing that was scheduled for Saturday.

Robertson is set to be a free agent on July 1, 2027, but is eligible to sign an extension on Jan. 1.

The 26-year-old winger had 45 goals and 96 points in 2025-26, and five goals and eight points in six playoff games. For his career, Robertson has 213 goals and 490 points in 456 regular-season games, and 23 goals and 52 points in 62 playoff games.

One Year Was the Only Way

Before the signing of this contract, the Stars had $10.69 million in cap space remaining for the upcoming season, and according to multiple reports, Robertson wanted all of it and then some. It appeared that he and the Stars both wanted him to stay, but he was standing firm on what he thought he was worth.

After turning down an eight-year deal at $12 million per year from the Stars and rejecting a sign-and-trade to the Seattle Kraken, Robertson filed for an arbitration hearing on July 5 that was scheduled for this coming Saturday, which I already mentioned.

The closer we got to Saturday, the more it felt like arbitration was the only way that Robo, as he is affectionately called, was going to be able to stay in Dallas. While the cap might be tight this season, the Stars currently have $41.16 million in space next summer, making this season the only hurdle that both sides had to jump over. It now seems like a slam dunk that a deal will get done before the upcoming campaign is over.

Jim Nill’s Job Is Not Done Yet

Signing Robertson was the priority of the summer, but general manager Jim Nill still has a lot of work to do. Nevertheless, you know he is sleeping much better tonight now that one of the best goal scorers in the NHL is locked up for at least one more year.

“Jason has been a cornerstone of our franchise since he was drafted in 2017,” Nill said on Tuesday. “A dynamic and skilled player, he has been one of the league’s top offensive threats since making his NHL debut. We’re excited for what this season will bring for both Jason and the team as we continue our push to bring a championship to Dallas.”

As it stands right now, the Stars are currently $1,360,333 over the salary cap and still have a hole or two that they would like to have filled by the end of September. However, Nill didn’t win back-to-back-to-back GM of the Year awards for nothing. It’ll be tricky, but the Stars should be just fine.

The only question left now is: how much will Robertson’s extension be worth? Earlier in the summer, his ask was $14 million. Well, with Leo Carlsson’s and Connor Bedard’s new deals, the number has most certainly changed. Don’t worry, Jim, that’s a problem for another day.