Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson shares a light moment with a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
FRISCO — No one expected Jason Robertson to break big news Monday and declare his commitment to re-signing in Dallas this offseason. Everyone knew it was far more complicated than that.
But for Stars fans, hearing Robertson’s comments and reading his body language Monday in his final media availability of the season left a bit of an uneasy feeling about his future.
Article continues below this ad
“It’s a business on both sides,” Robertson said. “I’m optimistic, I hope. It’s not like what it was when I was 10 years old, getting to the NHL, anymore. It’s a business. I learned that four years ago. It’s not my first time.”
Dallas Stars center Justin Hryckowian responds to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson pauses at the microphone before answering a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson listens to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson pauses at the microphone before taking questions from media members as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars forward Michael Bunting responds to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger responds to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz listens to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz ponders a question before answering as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz listens to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin leaves the podium after conversing with members of the media as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin answers a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Longtime Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn reacts to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Longtime Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn listens to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Longtime Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn listens to a question from a media member as a smartphone records a video as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Longtime Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn listens to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan answers a question from a media member as they organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan, left, addresses a packed room of media members as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan listens to a question from a media member as the organization held their end of season media availability at 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco on May 4, 2026.
Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Robertson’s contract situation may be the most pressing issue that GM Jim Nill and the Stars need to resolve this offseason. The 26-year-old forward is a restricted free agent this offseason and an unrestricted free agent next year.
The Stars still have team control. If Dallas makes him a qualifying offer of $9.3 million by June 29, the Stars will retain negotiating rights, meaning they have the right of first refusal to match any offer sheet that Robertson receives from another team.
Article continues below this ad
Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.
Add Preferred Source
But without signing him to a long-term extension this offseason, Robertson could be inclined to test the market as a UFA next offseason and potentially walk for free.
Whether it’s the Stars or another team that signs Robertson to a long-term extension, he’s due for a massive pay raise. Robertson tied for fourth in the league with 45 goals this season. He recorded 96 points in 82 games and went on to score a goal in each of his first five games of the playoffs.
On the final year of a four-year contract that pays him $7.75 million annually, Robertson will likely seek an extension similar to Mikko Rantanen’s eight-year deal worth $12 million annually. If the Stars won’t or can’t pay him that, some team will.
Article continues below this ad
The Stars, according to PuckPedia, have just $11 million in cap space remaining for next season to sign 2-3 forwards, so they will need to make some room. But after the season Robertson had, he’s worth the lift.
Reflecting on his year, Robertson pointed to his improvements in more than just goal scoring.
“[I was] really trying to improve and really do things differently this year on the ice, moving my feet more, shooting the puck in better areas, getting to better scoring chances,” he said. “I think this is the biggest step I’ve taken in my career this season. Obviously, it wasn’t like it was three years ago when I put up those numbers, but I think my play this year has been the best it has in my career.”
Robertson said he didn’t feel like he had anything to prove, but he certainly proved his doubters wrong. Team USA GM Bill Guerin left him off the Olympic team because his reputation had been that his physical game was lacking. But Robertson improved that aspect of his game. He had also been knocked for a lack of playoff scoring, recording just .79 points per playoff game before this postseason. This playoffs, he averaged 1.33.
Article continues below this ad
“I think he sent a great message,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “He played physical. I thought he was our most dangerous offensive guy if you look at the whole season. … I think there’s even more there. I think you’re scratching the surface with Robo.”
His performance this season made his case even more compelling for a notable extension this offseason. Robertson switched agents earlier this season and will now be represented by Andy Scott of Octagon, who also negotiated extensions for Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley and Rantanen in the last 14 months.
“We spent the past couple of months getting to know each other more, starting to understand things. He’s great. He’s been awesome. He knows what he’s doing,” Robertson said. “He’s kind of been like, ‘Just keep playing well. Keep performing. Let me take care of this stuff.’”
Scott, Robertson and Nill had agreed to hold off on negotiations until after the season ended. Now, those talks are expected to begin. Nill did not speak with reporters Monday as he often does at the end of the season and is expected to talk at a later date where he will likely address the status of the negotiations.
Article continues below this ad
Robertson acknowledged the challenge these offseasons bring and how it’s a business, first and foremost. He missed the start of the Stars’ 2022 training camp because of a contract dispute as a restricted free agent, which ended in him signing his current contract that expires this summer.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
The dispute came after Robertson had a breakout 41-goal season in 2021-22.
In a similar position, he’s commanded a sizable, long-term deal. The question remains whether the Stars are willing to give it to him.
Article continues below this ad
“We were worried about this season, play this season out and see where we go,” Robertson said. “Obviously, it ended way sooner than we wanted it to. Now, we have extra time to take the next steps shortly.”