The Montreal Canadiens remain one of several NHL teams monitoring Dallas Stars restricted free agent Jason Robertson, but they may face significant competition if contract talks continue to stall.
NHL analyst Marco D’Amico recently shed light on the situation, revealing that multiple clubs are tracking Robertson’s status ahead of the July 1 offer-sheet window.
“There are a few teams monitoring the Jason Robertson situation in Dallas like Ottawa, Montreal, etc.,” D’Amico wrote on X. “An offer over $12M was refused to stay in Dallas and things are coming to a head with a threat of offer sheet looming.”
He then mentioned, “That price point outside of Dallas will be bonkers, though.”
Robertson is coming off another elite season, posting 45 goals and 96 points in 82 games. This was his third 40-goal season with the Stars. Yet Dallas faces a difficult financial puzzle. The Stars reportedly have just over $10 million in projected cap space, while Robertson’s camp is believed to be seeking a deal approaching $14 million annually.
MORE: Canadiens among teams ‘pushing hard’ for $46.5M Maple Leafs star
D’Amico cautioned Canadiens fans against assuming a move is imminent.
“I don’t believe that there is as much to this as other reports have made it out to be,” D’Amico wrote. “The Canadiens are monitoring a few players at this time, and keeping tabs doesn’t equate to aggressively pursuing.”
Canadiens are up against ‘sneaky’ teams in a potential Jason Robertson bidding war
The larger issue for Montreal may not be Dallas. It could be the number of rivals preparing to enter the conversation, and they are the Utah Mammoth, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Teams I think could be real sneaky in here are Utah, Chicago, NYR, Columbus, etc,” D’Amico added, before writing, “I also wonder how this impacts the potential of Dallas in the Dylan Larkin running.”
From a roster-building perspective, those teams make sense. Chicago and Utah possess cap flexibility and need more star power. Columbus has aggressively explored major additions, while the Rangers are always linked to elite talent.
Montreal also faces a difficult cost-benefit calculation. Robertson would fit perfectly alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. His scoring consistency and size would address key needs on a young contender that reached the Eastern Conference Final this season.
However, paying Robertson $13-14 million annually could reshape the Canadiens’ salary structure. Any successful offer sheet would also require significant draft-pick compensation.
D’Amico believes the market could become increasingly aggressive.
“Things, however, can change pretty quickly with a deadline like July 1st coming with offer sheets,” D’Amico said. “…it could create a bidding war, even for an RFA.”
MORE: Canadiens Rumors: Montreal targeting a $42M Ducks center for 2C role
For now, Montreal remains interested. The challenge is that several other teams appear ready to make Dallas’ offseason problem even more complicated.
About the Author
