Jim Nill sends clear message amid Jason Robertson trade rumors

Jason Robertson's name has resurfaced in trade chatter, but inside the Dallas Stars front office, the plan remains to build around their established core.

The Dallas Stars are facing salary cap questions and future contract negotiations, and with that comes trade speculation.

Once again, forward Jason Robertson has been mentioned in rumors, though the team's true priority lies with players like Wyatt Johnston, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Thomas Harley, and Miro Heiskanen as they prepare for another playoff push.

According to a report from The Dallas Morning News, the Stars are not actively shopping Robertson despite the outside noise. One source familiar with management's thinking even called the speculation "completely overblown."

That doesn't mean there's silence on the phones as Dallas will always listen, but one insider told the outlet the Stars would have to be "blown away" by an offer to even consider moving their top scorer.

Dallas Stars plan to keep Jason Robertson while balancing cap space

The challenge for general manager Jim Nill is finding the right balance between cap space and keeping his best players.

Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz are both viewed as cornerstones for years to come, and Mikko Rantanen's eight-year extension already secures him as a centerpiece in Dallas.

Robertson, however, presents a trickier situation. He is entering the final year of his four-year, $7.75 million contract. As a restricted free agent after this season, Dallas holds leverage, but extension talks beginning July 1 will set the tone for how costly his next deal could be.

Nill acknowledged Robertson's importance at season's end, saying:

"Definitely. He's a good player. He is very valuabel to our success as a team.'

Despite battling a knee injury in the playoffs, Robertson still delivered when it mattered, scoring four goals in his last three postseason games.

He has produced at least 80 points in each of the past two years, including a career-high 109 points in 2022-23. His full career production is detailed at NHL.com.

I believe moving a 35-goal scorer in his prime for draft capital would be a major risk, one that doesn't match the Stars' Cup-contending timeline.

With the salary cap rising, the most likely scenario is that Dallas keeps Robertson for at least another year, while management sorts out a long-term number that fits their core.