Dallas Stars send clear message amid Jason Robertson trade chatter

The Dallas Stars, facing salary cap questions and contract talks ahead, are being linked to trade rumors involving Jason Robertson, but the team's real focus remains on its core players like Wyatt Johnston, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Thomas Harley, and Miro Heiskanen as they prepare for another playoff push.

The Jason Robertson trade noise has picked up again, but inside the Dallas Stars front office, the message is clear.

According to a report from The Dallas Morning News, the team is not actively shopping its top goal scorer despite speculation.

The rumor was described as "completely overblown" by someone familiar with management's thinking.

That doesn't mean the phone isn't ringing. The Stars will always listen, but one source told the outlet they'd need to be "blown away" by an offer to move Robertson.

Dallas Stars plan to keep Jason Robertson while building around Mikko Rantanen

The challenge for Dallas is balancing the books while keeping its stars. Players like Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz are seen as part of the long-term foundation. Mikko Rantanen, who signed his eight-year extension in March, is already locked in as a centerpiece.

Robertson's situation is trickier. He enters the final year of his four-year, $7.75 million cap hit, and his restricted free agent status gives Dallas control. But contract talks starting July 1 could reveal just how expensive a new deal might get.

General manager Jim Nill acknowledged the importance of his forward at season's end, saying:

"Definitely. He's a good player. That's somebody where we'll see where the signs go, how do you fit him in the cap?"

Despite a knee injury that slowed him in the playoffs, Robertson finished strong, scoring four goals in the last three games. His production is undeniable, with 80 points in each of the past two seasons and a career-high 109 in 2022-23.

Stats from NHL.com underline how valuable his scoring has been to the franchise.

I believe trading a proven 35-goal scorer like Robertson just to gain draft picks would be a massive risk for Dallas.

With the cap rising, the Stars appear set to keep him at least one more year, while they figure out long-term numbers.