Building an NHL roster is a long-term dedication where each player signing holds ramifications several years down the line. The Dallas Stars are in a cap crunch for next season with several free agents needing contracts. The most notable of these free agents is Jason Robertson, who is projected to sign an eight-figure contract. The Stars are now in a stalemate of their own design. Jim Nill has performed such an exceptional job at drafting and developing players that they are now worth more than the salary cap allows. The fair majority of the offseason is centered around the Stars and Jason Robertson. Their cap situation is one that needs a lot of Jim Nill magic to make work.
Money Situation
All the contracts and bonus overages leave the Stars with approximately $11 million to work with. That may sound like a lot, but Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn, Michael Bunting, Mavrik Bourque, Adam Erne, Nathan Bastian, Alexander Petrovic, Arttu Hyry, and Kyle Capobianco are all free agents in some way. The salary cap will rise again after next season, going from $104 million to $113.5 million. Just getting to next season is a huge advantage for the Stars. Tyler Seguin will enter the last year of his $9.85 million AAV salary, allowing the Stars the opportunity for extra money on the table. Several Stars players cannot be moved in any way due to their contract clauses. Tyler Seguin, Mikko Rantanen, Matt Duchene, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, and Esa Lindell cannot go to other teams via trade. Tyler Myers has a modified no-trade clause in his contract but a no-movement clause until July 1st. Jake Oettinger’s no-movement clause kicks in on July 1st as well, and lasts until his contract ends in 2033. You will have better odds of winning the lottery than the Stars trading Jake Oettinger. All of this means the Stars have limited options on cap-dump trades.
This money situation is a difficult hill to climb. Thomas Harley’s contract is a substantial increase starting next season, raising from $4 million to $10.587 million each year. Simply put, the Stars have a problem if they want to re-sign Robertson. Trades are a possibility, but who? Cap-dump trades are unlikely because most of the top-dollar guys cannot leave for reasons of their contract. Wyatt Johnston doesn’t have any contract clause, but you would think he is on the untouchable list. Michael Bunting will likely go somewhere else. Jamie Benn is out of a contract after a horrible postseason, scoring 0 goals and 0 assists alongside a -7 rating. The Stars don’t have the money for a big Robertson extension. Robertson may go for a Connor McDavid-type deal with his 2-year, $12 million AAV short-term extension. Perhaps offer Robertson a 1-year, approximately $10 million extension. He could then go for the big payday next season at $12-15 million. Thankfully, he is a restricted free agent, so the Stars hold all the cards in the deck.
Robertson Options
Trading Robertson is when all other options fail. Surely Nill will tender a qualifying offer. If any other team wants to sign Robertson, they will give up a record-breaking offer sheet. Surely he will warrant at least $12 million per year, meaning teams will have to give the Stars four 1st-round draft picks if they cannot match it. Draft picks are considered exceptionally valuable to a franchise, especially first-round picks. Robertson is an elite talent, capable of being a franchise player to build around. Another possible alternative is the Stars trading him. This is not an out-of-the-blue situation. Rumors have swirled around this for the last year. The Stars cannot let a franchise player like Robertson go. He scored a goal in eight straight playoff games while recording 96 points last season. Performing consistently is his trademark. A regular goal-scorer with 155 goals over the last four seasons indicates he is in his prime. Nill must do whatever it takes to re-sign him.
The Stars can afford an eight-figure contract after next season. Seguin’s $9.85 million will come off the books, allowing for much wiggle room with that salary cap increasing to $113.5 million. Nill is the management magician when it comes to this. He understands the colossal value Robertson is to the organization. Being in win-now mode means the Stars are not getting rid of a talent like him unless absolutely, unequivocally necessary. Any trade involving Robertson defines the word blockbuster, but the risk is stratospheric as he is already an established superstar. Re-signing him is the top priority of the offseason, but there are others as well. Re-signing other free agents and low-cost acquisitions are also on the table. Regardless, Jim Nill’s wizardry is a necessity going forward, and navigating the salary cap problems the Stars are currently enduring.
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Tags: dallas stars Esa Lindell Jake Oettinger Jason Robertson Lian Bichsel Matt Duchene Michael Bunting Mikko Rantanen Miro Heiskanen nhl Roope Hintz Thomas Harley Tyler Myers tyler seguin Wyatt Johnston
Categorized:Stars