One of the bigger storylines heading into the 2026 NHL Free Agency was what was going to happen with restricted free agent Jason Robertson. His four-year, $31 million contract, which carried a $7.750 million AAV, expired on June 30th. As of that date, he was eligible to sign an offer sheet from the other teams around the NHL.
The Longer Jason Robertson Situations Drag On, The Offer Sheet Threat Grows
However, all eyes were on July 5th, which was the last date a player could file for arbitration, while the team could file on July 6th. The option of an offer will soon be off the table as Robertson files for arbitration ahead of the 5 pm deadline on Sunday.
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, all indications point to Robertson doing this, making him ineligible to be approached by other teams with an offer sheet.
Robertson has indicated he will file for arbitration, which will also eliminate the possibility of an offer sheet for him
5 ET is official deadline. If eligible players do not go this route, teams have until tomorrow to decide if they will https://t.co/wtU7hbyuF5
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 5, 2026
However, that doesn’t mean teams have not approached Robertson and his camp about an offer sheet. According to Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on TFP Hotstove on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, teams approached Robertson with an offer sheet, but as of the weekend, there was no traction in contract negotiations.
“Well, teams have approached his camp about offer sheets, whether he was willing to accept one or not, I’m not sure, but there hasn’t been any traction going into this weekend on a new deal for the two now, whether something’s happened today (Saturday), I don’t know. This is an interesting one for me, how that Robertson situation unfolds.”
Jason Robertson’s Contract Situation is Really Tricky
It is clear that since Robertson didn’t sign an offer sheet, he wants to remain in Dallas. It is also clear that Robertson wants to be part of a winning team.
We know that ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Robertson rejected an eight-year offer from the Seattle Kraken, somewhere between $120 million and $125 million, with a salary cap hit between $15 million and $15.625 million. His clear preference is to remain with the Dallas Stars. Stars General Manager Jim Nill prefers to keep Jason Robertson, but on his terms.
This has been an ongoing battle between the Stars and Robertson since last offseason. Nill doesn’t want to go past Mikko Rantanen‘s $12 million AAV. The Stars offered Robertson the Rantanen contract, and it was turned down. Robertson is looking for $14 million on an AAV similar to what Leon Draisaitl got in Edmonton.
How can the Dallas Stars Not Extend Jason Robertson?
While a trade is not out of the question, as Dallas could just trade Robertson to any team, and then that team takes on the risk of signing him, the goal is to keep Robertson on the Stars. Filing for arbitration gives Nill and Robertson’s representative, Andy Scott, more time to negotiate a deal before the hearing.
These arbitration hearings can be nasty, and the best-case scenario is that Robertson gets a one-year deal, but feelings are hurt. Just look at what happened in the past between the Montreal Canadiens and P.K. Subban, and most recently, the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman.
But Jim Nill has reiterated that he wants Jason Robertson to be a part of the Dallas Stars organization moving forward. Nill views him as part of the corps that can help bring a Stanley Cup back to Dallas. The two parties have to reach a deal that benefits both sides.
Remember, Robertson is still eligible for an eight-year extension. Once September 15th rolls around, he can only sign a seven-year deal to remain with the Stars. If he gets to unrestricted free agency, the longest contract length he could sign is six years with another club. How it is structured in terms of bonuses changes, too.
It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out. Jason Robertson is risking it all on a one-year deal if it reaches a hearing. But the message is clear, he wants to be on a winning franchise or else he would have taken the money and run to another team by now.
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