Does a one-year set up for a long-term extension for Jason Robertson in Dallas?
Mike Heika Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com joined Sirius XM NHL Network Radio and was asked about how Stars GM Jim Nill and Jason Robertson came to a one-year deal and what the plan is to keep the player long-term.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL News: Jason Robertson and Dallas Stars Agree on a One Year Deal
Host: “Are you surprised, Mike, that we ended up with just a one-year deal here, and we’re just going to kind of kick this can down the road one more year? And yet again, we’re going to be doing the contract here. Jason Robertson conversation going into this year.”
Heika: Yeah, and it makes total sense if you can just kind of dissect everything because the Stars couldn’t afford much more than $12 million this year. And so then they talked to him. He talked to them. He thought he was worth more. I think he is worth more in today’s NHL. And, but what was interesting is, what the answer that they came to, which is let’s sign this one year for 12.
It’s interesting is with the way the contracts are going in the summer. I think his arbitration might have been 13 or 14. And so then, had he gone to arbitration and he got 13 or 14, he couldn’t have stayed. And I think he really wanted to stay, which is why I think he signed one year $12 million, which is what they could afford before he even got to arbitration. So I think it’s very clear he wants to be in Dallas. It’s also very clear he believes he deserves the money. And so I think this is the right answer.
NHL Rumors: Jason Robertson, Philadelphia Flyers, and Alex Ovechkin
You get him, you see what he can do. If you think he’s worth $14 or $15 million, if that’s what the league dictates. Then I think they might be talking about that because you see Miro Heiskanen and then you see Thomas Harley, and you say, well, Harley probably shouldn’t be getting more than Heiskanen, but that’s just the way contracts flow, and so you can look at Jason and say, well, he shouldn’t be getting more than (Mikko) Rantanen. But that’s just the way contracts flow.
So actually, as strange as this all sounds and complicated, I think it worked out exactly the way both sides wanted to. Robertson has a chance to stay here and make more money. The Stars have a chance to keep him and make a decision.”
NHLRumors.com Note: As reported when Jason Robertson signed his new one-year extension, the Dallas Stars were up against the salary cap. From the start, Stars GM Jim Nill didn’t want to go past Mikko Rantanen‘s $12 million AAV. But it was never about the money for Robertson. Yes, he wanted to get paid, but he never wanted to leave Dallas, or else he would have signed with Seattle or St. Louis.
NHL Rumors: Stars GM Jim Nill Wants To Keep Jason Robertson Long-Term
The goal for the Stars remains to get Robertson signed long-term. Whether that happens remains to be seen. There have been some reports suggesting the Robertson camp wasn’t happy with the one-year deal, but the Stars had no choice with Tyler Seguin‘s money still on the books. Others have said that the Stars aren’t happy given Robertson took $12 million, and that meant they could have kept Mavrik Bourque.
Dallas wasn’t keeping Mavrik Bourque. Regardless, it was always going to be a tough year no matter how you cut. While it isn’t the worst-case scenario, that would have the arbitrator awarding a one-year deal at $13 or $14 million; both parties have time to get the deal that makes the most sense.
They will keep talking to each other, but Jason Robertson gets to focus on playing and proving he is worth the money he wants.
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