Free agent Mitch Marner could be headed to the Dallas Stars, insider Pierre LeBrun believes. However, salary cap constraints could make the move challenging.
During an appearance on TSN Hockey on June 24, LeBrun spoke with Jay Onrait, discussing Marner’s potential free agent destinations. Lebrun named the usual suspects: Los Angeles and Vegas. But LeBrun dropped Dallas as a surprise team.
Lebrun added that Dallas would have to make a move to clear up cap space, potentially trading Jason Robertson to do so.
“Dallas is interesting because Dallas is a team, I think, Marner would like to have in there. I just don’t know if the Stars can pull it off after they’ve committed themselves to Rantanen and they’ve got cap issues.”
The solution to Dallas’ cap issues could be moving Jason Robertson, an impending RFA after next season, to free up space:
“Jason Robertson is interesting because teams are calling, and the Dallas Stars aren’t hanging up the phone. I believe what’s happening here is that Robertson has a year left on his deal, he’s RFA in a year from now… there’s a chance they trade him by the end of the summer.”
LeBrun was clear about the fact that a Robertson trade could largely depend on what demands Robertson has for an extension. If Dallas doesn’t like what Robertson is asking, the trade could happen. Robertson has a $7.75 million cap hit this season. A substantially higher ask could price him out of Dallas.
Why Dallas Stars Make Sense for Mitch Marner
The Dallas Stars are one of the most loaded teams in the NHL. They’re also a team that’s gone to the Western Conference Final twice in a row. Both seasons, they’ve fallen to the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers.
So, that’s a situation that could be appealing to Mitch Marner. Marner’s rationale could be to join a team that’s close enough to the Stanley Cup without actually being there. Like the Oilers, Dallas could be on the cusp of finally breaking through.
Judging from LeBrun’s comments, Dallas appears to be a dream destination for Marner. Given how much closer the Stars are to the Stanley Cup than the Toronto Maple Leafs, it makes sense for Marner to covet landing in Dallas.
Tax Advantage Could Play a Role for Dallas Stars
The entire tax advantage discussion could benefit the Dallas Stars in signing Mitch Marner. Some reports suggest that Mitch Marner is looking to sign a short-term deal, something in the two to three-year range.
Counterintuitively, Marner could sign a two or three-year deal in Dallas with a lower AAV due to the tax advantage. In his mind, leaving some cash on the table now to chase a Cup could drive his value to the moon once the cap skyrockets. At least that’s been the speculation thrown around in online chatter.
But the tax advantage situation is real. Some players have given up an extra million here and there to sign with teams in states that offer said advantages. Unfortunately, Canadian teams cannot offer comparable tax incentives. That situation puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to landing free agents on team-friendly deals.
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