Jason Robertson, a leading offensive force for the Dallas Stars, is preparing for what could be the best season of his career as he enters the final year of his current contract. The 25-year-old winger, born in Arcadia, California, is motivated by looming contract negotiations and the opportunity to solidify his place among the NHL’s top players.
Robertson’s progress will be closely followed given his importance to the team’s scoring capabilities. His contract situation adds an element of uncertainty, but also a strong incentive to perform at peak levels during the upcoming season.
Assessing Robertson’s 2024-25 Season: Overcoming Injury and Delivering Results
Robertson’s 2024-25 season was marked by a slow start due to foot surgery in the offseason, which forced him to miss most of training camp. Despite these setbacks, he finished the regular season with impressive numbers: 35 goals and 45 assists, totaling 80 points in 82 games, placing him second in team scoring.
His performance improved steadily across the months, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. In October, Robertson recorded six points in nine games, followed by seven points in thirteen games during November. December saw a breakthrough with 15 points across 14 games, and January was particularly strong with 21 points in 15 games. Although February’s momentum dipped somewhat due to the 4 Nations Face-Off event, he rebounded in March with 16 points in 15 games.
The late-season schedule challenged Robertson along with the rest of the Stars, as a losing streak impacted the team’s rhythm. Additionally, he faced a knee injury in the final regular-season game in Nashville, which limited his effectiveness in the playoffs. Nonetheless, Robertson remained the Stars’ most reliable goal scorer throughout the season.
Contract Situation Sparks Debate and Opportunities
Robertson is entering the final year of a four-year contract worth $7.75 million per season and will become a restricted free agent following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. This generates various discussions about his future, especially comparisons to Mikko Rantanen’s case in Colorado.
Unlike an unrestricted free agent, Robertson’s status allows the Dallas Stars to maintain control, including the option to trade him if no contract extension is agreed upon. Experts suggest that it might be practical to allow Robertson to play out this season under his current contract to maximize his value and team impact.
Key motivators include his crucial role in offensive production and his ambition to secure a spot on Team USA’s Olympic roster, which could further stimulate his scoring output to reach career-high figures.
Outlook for the Upcoming Season: A Push for Peak Performance
If Robertson leads the Stars in scoring once more and elevates his playoff performance, his contract negotiations could escalate significantly. His potential new salary might approach or surpass the $12 million average that Rantanen commands, a figure that could pose challenges within Dallas’s salary cap structure.
In case the Stars find a high salary unmanageable, he could be a highly valuable asset in a trade. Such a scenario resembles past moves where Dallas traded valuable picks and players to acquire top talent. Robertson’s health, combined with a likely strong offseason and the prospect of playing alongside elite players like Rantanen and Roope Hintz, could help him reach new offensive milestones.
Over the past four seasons, Robertson has led the Stars in shots on goal, although last year’s total of 211 was down considerably from the 313 shots he took in 2022-23. An increase in shooting volume seems probable this coming season, potentially boosting his scoring totals further.
Improving his playoff production to better match his regular-season pace would also be pivotal for his future debates and contract value, given his current playoff points-per-game average of 0.78 compared to 1.05 during the regular season.
Potential Implications for the Dallas Stars and Robertson’s Career Trajectory
Robertson’s ability to sustain and elevate his offensive impact is critical for the Dallas Stars as they seek to remain competitive in a challenging NHL landscape. His contract year underscores not just his personal ambitions but also the franchise’s decisions regarding their core players and salary cap management.
His performance this season could determine whether Dallas can retain him at an elite level, or if they may pursue a lucrative trade offer, potentially reshaping the team’s roster and future strategies. Meanwhile, Robertson’s quest for a career-best season is intertwined with his aspirations on both the domestic league and international stages.