Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars Happily Avoid Arbitration Amid High-Profile Contract Negotiations

Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract earlier this week, allowing both sides to avoid arbitration and keeping the restricted free agent forward with the organization for the 2026-27 season.

Robertson’s arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Saturday, July 25, but the two sides reached an agreement before that became necessary.

“I think it was in our best interest to try to avoid that and figure out something before that and do something we would both be content and happy with,” the 27-year-old said during a Zoom call with the media.

The contract gives Robertson another year in Dallas before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if a long-term extension is not reached. The Stars can begin negotiating a new contract with Robertson on Jan. 1, 2027.

The agreement follows an offseason in which Robertson’s future was a frequent topic league-wide. His name appeared in multiple trade reports, including a declined trade to the Seattle Kraken.

“Knowing now and knowing what happened yesterday, I like to think everything in the past and what happened from then to now doesn’t matter anymore,” Robertson said. “We just want to focus on having a great summer this year and coming into camp ready to go and try to win a [Stanley] Cup.”

Still, questions about a longer-term agreement remain. The one-year contract allows both parties additional time to decide on his future beyond the 2026-27 season.

“At the end of the day, it’s a business — for them, for me, everything,” Robertson said. “I don’t know their future plans. They don’t know our future plans either. It’s too soon. It just happened yesterday. I’m sure we’re just both content to get it done and to have the time to re-evaluate both our futures.”