The Carolina Hurricanes are searching for a top-six forward this offseason. They could certainly achieve this aim through NHL Free Agency. For instance, Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner makes sense as a potential signing. However, they could also make a trade for Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.
Robertson is on the trade market due to cap reasons. The Stars need to clear some space so they can make moves this summer. The 25-year-old is signed through the 2025-26 season at a $7.75 million cap hit. This is incredible value for someone of his caliber.
However, Dallas is going to have to pay up next summer. Robertson is a restricted free agent in 2026 and an unrestricted free agent in 2027. This gives the Stars a couple of options. They can either sign him to a long-term contract or sign him to a deal that walks him to NHL Free Agency.
The Stars may not be able to afford this deal either way. As a result, they put him on the trade market. The Hurricanes should be one of the first teams making a call. And this offer could be enough to pry Robertson out of the Lone Star State:
Carolina Hurricanes acquire: Forward Jason Robertson
Dallas Stars acquire: Defenseman Alexander Nikishin, forward Jackson Blake, and a 2026 first-round pick (owned initially by Dallas).
Jason Robertson Could Solve Hurricanes’ Issues
Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesJason Robertson could provide everything the Carolina Hurricanes are looking for this summer.
Robertson has emerged as one of the best young forwards in the NHL. In 2022-23, he reached heights no member of the Dallas Stars has ever. He scored 100 points in a single season. This franchise played in Minnesota the last time a player scored 100 points in a single season in their sweater.
Among Dallas skaters, Robertson has the second-highest Offensive Goals Above Replacement since 2022-23, according to Evolving Hockey. Only Roope Hintz has a higher OGAR in that span. Additionally, Robertson owns the highest Wins Above Replacement, and is the only Stars players worth at least 9.0 wins above replacement in this timeframe.
Robertson has his entire career ahead of him at this point. The 25-year-old is entering his prime and is already an elite offensive presence. He could be the piece the Hurricanes need to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference Finals after their last three failures.
Stars Must Weigh Risk Over Reward in Any Trade
Trading a player of Robertson’s caliber is never easy. When this player is, as mentioned, entering his prime, “difficult” doesn’t begin to describe it. Dallas is taking a major risk in even putting him on the trade market.
However, there could be a reward element to this all the same. For instance, Robertson is not the only notable player who is a restricted free agent next summer. Defenseman Thomas Harley is also set to enter NHL Free Agency in a restricted manner in 2026.
Signing Harley and Robertson may be near impossible for the Stars. A rising cap environment won’t help matters for the team. Moving one of them could be in the best interest of their roster construction. Robertson, unfortunately, is the one carrying the highest cap hit.
Cap freedom is extremely important. However, there is still a major risk to trading someone of Robertson’s skillset. If the Stars pull the trigger, they need to ensure the return is worth their while. Otherwise, this could all blow back on them in a rather unforgiving fashion.
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