Dallas Stars Face a Fork in the Road With Jason Robertson. Here’s Every Option.

The Dallas Stars have a Jason Robertson problem. Not the kind where he’s playing badly. The kind where they might lose him.

Robertson, who turns 27 next month, is a restricted free agent. And the clock is ticking toward July 1. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Dallas plans to make what might be its best and final offer to Robertson’s camp. If that doesn’t get it done, the Stars will start exploring trades. And apparently, there’s no shortage of teams interested.

Robertson has been a legit star in Dallas. Four straight 82-game seasons. Three 40-goal years in the last five. His peak came in 2022-23 when he put up 46 goals and 63 assists. He’s cleared 79 points every season for five years running. That’s not just consistent. That’s elite.

So what happens if the Stars and Robertson can’t agree on a new deal? Dreger laid out a few paths.

Trade talks and offer sheet threats

One option is to let Robertson’s agent, Andy Scott, negotiate with a new club ahead of a potential trade. That would let Dallas see what an extension might look like before pulling the trigger. Dreger called that route “a little bit more greasy.”

Then there’s the offer sheet threat. Multiple teams around the league have the four first-round picks needed as compensation. Dreger said the Stars are “feeling the possibility” that an offer sheet could become a real threat.

And there’s always arbitration. That would give Robertson a one-year deal at a hefty number. And then he’d walk for free the next summer.

Robertson just finished a four-year contract with a $7.75 million AAV. His next deal is going to be noticeably bigger. The question is whether Dallas is willing to pay it, or if they’ll pivot and cash in on a trade while his value is still at its highest.

Free agency opens July 1 at noon Eastern. The Stars have a few days to figure out which direction they’re heading.