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'Probably 50/50 At This Point': Stars Facing Decision Between Forward and Defenseman

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 10:00 AM ET

The Dallas Stars may be nearing a pivotal decision on one of their most productive forwards in left winger Jason Robertson.

According to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen, there’s a real chance the franchise moves on from Robertson if financial pressures make it impossible to keep both him and rising defenseman Thomas Harley.

“Cop-out answer, but [a Robertson trade is] probably 50/50 at this point,” Rosen wrote on Wednesday. “It really depends on if the Stars and Robertson can or even want to try to get a new deal done sooner rather than later.”

Robertson, 26, is entering the final year of a four-year, $31 million contract. He led the team in points in two of the last three seasons and scored 35 goals and 80 points in 82 games last year.

On Jason Robertson, the Panthers' cap situation, Montreal's 'D' and the Islanders:https://t.co/wybJ8FEHY8
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) July 23, 2025

Harley’s emergence as one of the league’s best young defensemen, however, could complicate the Stars’ salary cap outlook and their shot at keeping both players in tow.

The blueliner is about to complete his two-year, $8 million deal at the end of next season. He posted 50 points in 78 regular-season games last year.

The two Stars players will be restricted free agents next summer and are expected to command major raises in their yearly salaries, which might not fit Dallas' cap room for the 2026-27 season.

Rosen pointed to Harley, who turns 24 next month, as a possible “financial roadblock” that could force Dallas to choose between keeping the defenseman or the forward.

“If the Stars feel they have to choose between Harley and Robertson on who to re-sign,” Rosen wrote, “it’d be hard to argue against them choosing the rising star defenseman.”

If a Robertson trade becomes inevitable, Rosen suggested the Stars might explore a framework similar to the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade deal completed between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights on the verge of free agency.

In that case, the acquiring team would get Robertson's negotiating rights and agree to a contract with him in advance to help Dallas maximize its return instead of losing Robertson for nothing.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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