Stars' Cup gamble? Jason Robertson trade talk linked to Mitch Marner pursuit

The Dallas Stars have been one of the NHL's most consistent contenders in recent seasons, but big questions continue to swirl around the future of their star forward Jason Robertson. According to multiple reports, the team even discussed moving him this summer to create space for a blockbuster pursuit of Mitch Marner.

This revelation, coming from insider Sean Shapiro, adds fuel to the uncertainty already surrounding Robertson. The 26-year-old winger is entering the final year of his contract with Dallas, and extension talks have not yet begun. That silence has only made the speculation louder.

Dallas Stars weighed Jason Robertson trade as Mitch Marner hit the market

Robertson remains the heart of the Stars' offense, tallying 35 goals and 45 assists for 80 points last season. Yet his playoff struggles-just 4 goals in 11 games-sparked criticism and opened the door to questions about his long-term role.

The rumor mill intensified when Shapiro reported that Dallas was seriously considering moving Robertson in order to clear the cap space needed to chase Marner, who eventually landed with the Vegas Golden Knights. Sports Illustrated noted that several teams, including Dallas, were in the mix before Vegas closed the deal.

One anonymous league source was blunt, saying,

"Dallas knew it would take moving a contract like Robertson's to even have a shot at Marner. That tells you how seriously they thought about it."

Robertson has been a face of the franchise since his breakout, with 394 points in 374 career games. But as cap pressures mount and the Stars try to stay in the Cup window, his future is far from certain. NHL.com's Stars coverage emphasized that Dallas remains focused on winning now, even if that means difficult choices ahead.

Personally, I think the idea of trading Robertson feels unthinkable, but the fact Dallas even considered it shows just how aggressive this front office has become in chasing a Stanley Cup.

What's next for Robertson and the Stars?

For now, Robertson will play out the season in Dallas, but unless extension talks gain traction, the rumors will only grow. If the Stars stumble in the playoffs again, the calls to shake things up could get much louder.