Jason Robertson has filed for salary arbitration, extending his standoff with the Dallas Stars and setting up a potential one-year deal that would keep him on track for unrestricted free agency in 2027. The timeline also matters for Dallas, which has until Mon
By filing for salary arbitration, Jason Robertson has stepped into a familiar negotiating pressure point—one that can change the shape of an NHL contract in a hurry.
The Dallas Stars forward’s filing sets up the possibility of a one-year deal that would carry him to unrestricted free agency in 2027. Just as importantly, it would remove the possibility of an offer sheet for him.
If a player doesn’t file for arbitration by Sunday at 5 p.m. ET, teams have until Monday to decide whether they will. Robertson met the deadline, keeping the Stars’ long-running contract search for a workable resolution locked in.
This is the latest turn in an ongoing saga between Robertson and Dallas. The Stars and their captain-like centerpiece have been unable to agree to a long-term deal, even as everyone involved kept talking about the same goal: getting him signed.
Jim Nill, Dallas’ general manager, told reporters on the first day of free agency that the intention was to bring Robertson in. Nill also said he remained in contact with Robertson’s representatives.
“I think everybody needs to understand this is July 1, Nill said. “The games don’t start until September and this is the part of contract negotiations. The goal is to get him signed.”
Dallas had a trade in place with the Seattle Kraken that would have sent Robertson to Seattle for a contract in the $15 million range, but the forward turned down the move.
Before free agency opened, the Stars made a qualifying offer to Robertson. Now, with arbitration filed, the negotiations have moved from traditional contract talks to a process that can force clarity—fast.
Robertson’s path to the Stars was built in drafts and timing. Dallas selected him 39th overall in the second round of the 2017 draft. Since his NHL debut in February 2020, Robertson has produced 490 points across 456 regular-season games, including 213 goals and 277 assists.
The arbitration day didn’t end with Robertson either. His brother, Nick Robertson, also filed for arbitration on Sunday. Nick Robertson was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1.
In total, 15 players filed for arbitration on Sunday—another sign that this offseason’s contract disputes are still very much alive, even as clubs push to settle their futures before the regular season begins.
Jason Robertson salary arbitration Dallas Stars Jim Nill NHL contract negotiations unrestricted free agency 2027 Seattle Kraken Nick Robertson Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs