"One idea floating around the league is a bigger swing involving Dallas - specifically Jason Robertson. Contract talks there haven't been smooth, where Robertson is believed to be looking for north of $12 million a year, more than what Mikko Rantanen got. That's not an easy number for the Stars. Toronto could pay it, but the question is the cost of acquisition. Cowan, Ben Danford, plus more - likely an off-season conversation rather than a deadline one - but it's the kind of move that would actually change the Leafs' makeup. Whether they have the stomach for it is another matter."
"Past reporting, notably from leading hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, has indicated that Stars general manager Jim Nill, winner of the last three General Manager of the Year Awards, has a salary red line he does not want to cross. Previously, that red line was rumored to be the $12 million salary that the team's other star winger, Mikko Rantanen, is making through the 2032-33 campaign. According to PuckPedia, the Stars currently have $3.27 million in cap space, though that comes with veteran forward Tyler Seguin's $9.85 million cap hit on long-term injured reserve."
"The NHL salary cap is expected to increase by another $8.5 million for the 2026-27 campaign, but the Stars already have very expensive contract committments to seven players other than Robertston through that season: Rantanen ($12M), Thomas Harley ($10.587M), Seguin ($9.85M), Roope Hintz ($8.45M), Miro Heiskanen ($8.45M), Wyatt Johnston ($8.4M), and Jake Oettinger ($8."
Jason Robertson is among the NHL's top scorers with 52 points (25 goals, 27 assists) in 44 games and will become a restricted free agent in July. Robertson is reportedly seeking more than $12 million per season, a figure that strains the Dallas Stars' payroll plans. Stars general manager Jim Nill is said to maintain a salary red line that complicates matching that demand. The team shows about $3.27 million in cap space while carrying Tyler Seguin's $9.85 million on long-term injured reserve. Multiple high-value contracts already committed through 2026-27 limit roster flexibility ahead of the trade deadline.
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