Should the Dallas Stars ultimately move Jason Robertson, the Pittsburgh Penguins have positioned themselves at the front of the line, and their interest is anything but new. According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, Pittsburgh’s interest in the Stars winger stretches back roughly a year. With Robertson’s arbitration hearing set for July 25 and multiple reports pegging Pittsburgh as his most realistic landing spot, that history suddenly matters a great deal.
A Year in the Making
Speaking on the Inside Sports podcast on July 13, Pagnotta said the Penguins “have had interest in him going back to last summer.” Earlier chatter had linked Robertson to the Ottawa Senators, but the momentum has clearly swung toward Pittsburgh. The Athletic’s Josh Yohe has reported that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas genuinely views Robertson as a player with long-term value, not a short-term rental. There’s a family thread to the story as well, since Pittsburgh acquired Jason’s younger brother, Nick, from Toronto around the start of July.
Robertson Has Been Choosy
Coming off a career year of 45 goals and a team-leading 96 points, Robertson has turned down two known offers. He rejected an eight-year deal worth around $15 million per season from the Seattle Kraken, and he declined an offer from the St. Louis Blues, according to Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek. Yohe corroborated that reporting and noted that Stars GM Jim Nill kept those talks from advancing. The pattern suggests Robertson is being deliberate about where, and for how much, he commits next.
The Cap Gap Keeps a Trade in Play
Money remains the central obstacle in Dallas. The Stars are working with roughly $10.6 million in cap space, while Robertson is expected to command up to $14 million per season on his next contract. Bridging that gap without shedding significant salary is difficult, which is exactly why a trade has stayed on the table all summer.
Other Teams That Could Get Involved
If Pittsburgh doesn’t land him, analysts have floated several other fits. The Utah Hockey Club already has a strong core and could clear room by moving JJ Peterka’s $7.7 million cap hit. The Chicago Blackhawks have the space to sign Robertson long-term. The New Jersey Devils have long wanted a top-six winger to play alongside Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, and they hold the draft capital to make a real push. The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks round out the group, with cap flexibility, prospect depth, and the added pull of Robertson being a California native.
For now, Dallas is in no hurry and continues to prioritize keeping its leading scorer. The volume of teams circling only underscores what the Stars would have to work with if they change course. That decision is theirs to make, and it’s coming soon.
