Penguins Looking to Use a Loophole to Trade For Jason Robertson?

According to Nick Kypreos, the Pittsburgh Penguins may still be waiting in the wings to acquire superstar forward Jason Robertson. Linked to Robertson when the winger struggled to get an extension with the Dallas Stars, his one-year deal seemed to quiet speculation. Kypreos has brought it back to the surface.

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In a recent trade bait board column, the NHL insider wrote the following about a Robertson trade:

“A carryover from last season’s board, Robertson’s RFA contract status with Dallas was resolved when he signed a one-year, $12 million deal. That will get him back on the ice in a Stars jersey for 2026-27, but what happens after that? He’s eligible to extend with Dallas Jan. 1, but that likely won’t happen because under CBA rules any no-trade clause wouldn’t kick in until his next contract does. That means Dallas could sign him long-term and still trade him to Seattle, where he has already rejected a move to. Robertson is completely on track to become a UFA next July or get traded if he doesn’t sign a new deal somewhere before then.”

He then linked the Penguins, saying:

“Something to watch out for: Word is the Penguins’ acquisition of his younger brother Nick was done for a number of reasons, including the chance it will help lure Jason to town either in a trade or through free agency. Pittsburgh is one market Jason has tremendous interest in.”

What To Make of Robertson to the Penguins

This is interesting for a few reasons. The trade clause is the first. If Robertson can be dealt to the Seattle Kraken, he’ll likely choose not to do anything that would increase that probability. He’ll either wait to sign or not sign, ensuring he’s untradeable. Seattle likely won’t give up what’s necessary if they know he’s not sticking around.

Second, if he believes the Stars are only signing him to trade him, he could ask for a trade prior or be moved as a rental. He’d be an expensive rental and perhaps the most coveted one on the market. A team would really have to know he’d help their playoff push because he’ll cost them multiple picks and prospects.

Third, the Penguins have the least to lose. If he’s good to sign there, a sign-and-trade makes sense. They have $10 million in space this season and over $60 million next. The way contracts are going, and with the new projection for the 2028-29 salary cap ceiling at $127.5 million, any team, including Pittsburgh, willing to trade for or sign Robertson has to know he’ll cost between $16 and $18 million per season. How many teams can afford what Robertson is about to get paid?

The Penguins certainly can.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Senators, Oilers & Huge Financial News?