Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson has requested arbitration after failing to agree on a new contract with the team. The move comes after prolonged negotiations and eliminates the risk of an offer sheet from other NHL clubs.
The 26-year-old star forward submitted the arbitration request, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. This step prevents other teams from signing him to an offer sheet and could result in a one-year deal if no agreement is reached before the hearing.
Such an outcome would make Robertson an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. Negotiations between the player and the Stars have continued for an extended period without producing a long-term contract.
Robertson previously declined a substantial offer from the Seattle Kraken, who had arranged a trade with Dallas. On the opening day of free agency, Stars general manager Jim Nill reaffirmed the club's goal of retaining the forward, who recorded 96 points in the most recent season.
Drafted by Dallas in the second round of the 2017 NHL entry draft, Robertson has accumulated 490 points in 456 regular-season games since his 2020 debut.