The New York Rangers are in dire need of upgrading their top six, specifically on the wing, and the latest report from ESPN Insider Emily Kaplan all but officially closes the door on acquiring a top target that was expected to be available this summer. Jason Robertson, despite what the decision makers of Team USA think, is one of the league's top offensive players. Despite there being a ton of speculation about his future, it is now being reported that an extension is the most likely outcome.
According to Kaplan, "the Jason Robertson saga will finally see some clarity and all signs point to an extension in Dallas, rather than a trade." Robertson appeared in all 82 games this regular season with Dallas, and he scored 45 goals while adding 51 assists for 96 points. Prior to this year, Robertson had posted back to back 80 point seasons, and that was something fans were concerned about since the season preceding those campaigns saw him score 46 goals and finish with 109 points.
Robertson made $7.75 million this past season, and if he's got a qualifying offer worth $9.3 million that he could opt into if he really wanted to force his way to unrestricted free agency. According to AFP Analytics, a long-term deal for Robertson would see him sign for eight years at just under $12 million, and that would put him just under what Mikko Rantanen is making.
The Stars currently have $10,139,667 in cap space, and a roster size of 19 skaters. In addition to Robertson, the Stars have free agents that include Jamie Benn and Mavrik Bourque, and it is going to be interesting to see how they open up cap space.
Tyler Seguin missed most of this past season with an injury, and he's in the final year of a deal that pays him $9.85 million per season. He has a NMC in his contract, but that would be the easiest way to free up the requisite space. None of this matters to the Rangers, but it would have been fun to see Robertson on the Rangers. It always seemed like a long shot, even more so when he wasn't chosen to play for Mike Sullivan's Team USA squad at the Olympics, and now the fans will need to set their attention on some other big name that they hope will end up in New York.
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