**Richardson, Texas** — Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson filed for salary arbitration ahead of Sunday's NHL deadline, a step that prevents rival clubs from submitting an offer sheet and keeps the franchise's top scorer in the contract process.
Dallas had arranged a sign-and-trade with the Seattle Kraken for the seventh overall pick in last month's draft, but Robertson declined to accept a long-term contract with Seattle, which had offered approximately $120 million over eight seasons.
Robertson was one of 15 NHL players to file before Sunday's 5 p.m. ET deadline. The Stars carry a top-heavy payroll with seven players drawing cap hits above $8 million, including Mikko Rantanen at $12 million and defenseman Thomas Harley at $10.587 million.
The arbitration route means an independent adjudicator will set Robertson's 2026-27 salary unless Dallas reaches a new agreement first. That contract would bridge him to unrestricted free agency next summer. General manager Jim Nill said the organization still aims to work out a longer deal and that discussions with Robertson's representatives remain ongoing.
Robertson, who will turn 27 on July 22, became a restricted free agent after a four-year, $31 million contract from 2022 expired. He led the Stars with 96 points last season, recording 45 goals and 51 assists across 82 games, and was named a First Team NHL All-Star at left wing.