Why Jason Robertson may sign an eight-year deal with the Dallas Stars before time runs out

The Dallas Stars enter the 2025-26 season once again seen as a Stanley Cup contender, but contract pressure looms large, especially with Jason Robertson heading into the final year of his $7.75 million deal.

With six other players already making more than $8 million annually, general manager Jim Nill must find a way to keep his star scorer long-term while also preparing for other key negotiations.

Robertson has been one of the most consistent forwards in the NHL, producing multiple 40-goal seasons, a 100-point campaign, and another 80-point year in 2024-25. Trade rumors have circulated because of Dallas's cap situation, but moving him would feel like ripping out the team's foundation.

Why Jason Robertson has incentive to commit long-term to the Dallas Stars

The timing of this contract could be crucial. Analyst Jeff Marek explained on 32 Thoughts:

"The other thing that Robertson I think is probably weighing here this is the last (year) you can sign an eight-year deal. These are all the things that are in play right now."

For Robertson, this is the chance to secure a franchise-defining deal. For Dallas, it's their best opportunity to keep him through his prime, while also juggling new contracts for Thomas Harley, Mavrik Bourque, and Nils Lundkvist. Jamie Benn also enters free agency, making this one of the busiest offseasons Jim Nill will face.

Tyler Seguin's contract may end up being the key. With one year left after this season and a no-move clause attached, the Stars could be forced to buy him out to make room.

As NHL.com outlined, Dallas has already lost depth this summer due to cap pressure, and more sacrifices will follow if they want to secure their elite core.

As NHL Trade Rumors reported, Robertson will almost certainly join the $8 million-plus group of Stars if he signs an eight-year extension. That would put him alongside Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Mikko Rantanen as the pillars of Dallas's Cup window.

"That was a good team, a real good team but we're going to grow from that the steps the younger guys take, that's what we'll need internally," Nill recently told reporters.

Personally, I think locking Robertson in for eight years is the safest move the Stars can make if they want their Cup window to stay open.