4 Teams Rejected: What We’re Hearing About the Jason Robertson Trade

Jason Robertson talk was everywhere on Thurday night and it has bled over into Friday morning as the NHL Draft is just hours away. There was a trade on the table between the Stars and Seattle Kraken that would have seen Robertson go to the Kraken and make $15 million on an eight-year deal. He rejected the trade.

Later, and according to Jeff Marek, “Sources indicate the St Louis Blues offered a package that included multiple first-round picks to the Dallas Stars for Jason Robertson, but he is not interested in signing there.”

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Robertson also made it known he would not sign a long-term deal with the Ottawa Senators after the Senators traded Brady Tkachuk. That took a sign-and-trade or an offer sheet option off the table.

Oh, and he shot down the latest offer from the Stars.

So where does this all end up? Will Robertson stay and remain unsigned, be traded on Friday, or sign with Dallas?

As per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Kraken were given permission Thursday to negotiate, but Robertson turned down an eight-year contract in the “$15 million range.” Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 points out that many have stated Seattle’s upcoming 9.9% millionaire tax is why Robertson said no. The Kraken offered to make him the second-highest-paid player in the NHL at $15 million per season. That’s about $13.5 million per season on a no-state tax team. “If he takes less than $13.5m from Dallas, he left money on the table.” Seattle was willing to structure the contract so as much money as possible was given at the start of the deal and before the big tax comes to the state of Washington.

In the end, many believe it was about not wanting to play in Seattle.

Marek reports, “One thing we should all understand about the Seattle Kraken – they are not just trying to hit singles. It’s big swings. Artemi Panarin, Jason Robertson and I believe Robert Thomas previously as well.” The trade to Seattle included the 7th overall pick it’s unclear what else.

The Blues are also looking to do something big and reports are they are one of the teams heavily pursuing Mason McTavish.

As for what the Stars do, Frank Seravalli reports that Toronto and Dallas had talks about the Stars potentially flipping No. 7 overall from the Kraken in a deal for Matthew Knies to help replace Jason Robertson. They’re aware that if they lose Robertson, they need to bring someone else in as quickly as possible. Friedman says Dallas is at $12 million, maybe $12.5 million per season.

The Stars now are also circling back to teams that had shown interest in the winger.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Jets, Canes, Maple Leafs & PP Remakes