It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re into the dog days of summer, but there are still plenty of things to sort out. The public may think there’s not a lot going on in the hockey world. However, front offices are plenty busy trying to sort things out. Rosters are trying to be figured out and there are already teams trying to work things out beyond the 2025-26 campaign. Some hard choices will need to made this summer.
One club that has some work to do when it comes to their roster is the Dallas Stars. This edition of NHL rumours deals with the team maybe having to choose between two players that will be restricted free agents at the end of next season.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Dallas Stars Face Possible Tough Choice Between Pair of Important RFAs
Rumour: Dan Rosen of NHL.com had a recent mailbag and the topic of two key Stars players came up. Rosen said a decision between the Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley may be coming sooner or later.
Analysis: Robertson’s name has been the subject of trade talks in previous editions of NHL rumours. The former 2021 All-Rookie team selection is in the final year of a contract that sees him make $7.75 million per season. Robertson is a two-time 40-plus goal scorer and would get plenty of interest should he become an RFA.
Dallas would likely have to fight off offer sheets should Robertson not be signed or traded by July 1, 2026. However, Stars General Manager Jim Nill wants to handle that before things get to that point.
The Arcadia, Calif. native has totaled 151 goals in the last four seasons. Dallas may want to keep him, but the cost may be too high for that to happen. Nill could try to do a sign-and-trade much like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights did with Mitch Marner. A sign-and-trade would likely yield the Stars a heftier return.
Nill could take his chances and not make a decision on Robertson until later. However, it could not work out like when the Carolina Hurricanes traded for Mikko Rantanen.
What It Means
However, there’s also the matter of trying to get Harley a new deal. The 23-year-old is also in line for a nice pay rise before next summer rolls around.
Harley is in the last season of a contract that sees him make $4 million. He’s become an important part of the Dallas defence that already has important players like Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell.
Rosen went onto mention that the Stars may have to sign one or the other, but likely can’t do both. The insider mentions that the Stars would likely pick Harley over Robertson.
Defecemen are hard to come by and keeping someone like Harley would probably be better in the long run for the Stars. It won’t be an easy decision for Nill to make, but something will have to be sorted out sooner rather than later.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: Dallas Stars Have Tough Decision with Two RFAs appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.