Analyst makes the case for the Stars to hand Jason Robertson a $12 million AAV deal
Photo credit: The Hockey News
The debate over Jason Robertson's next contract has taken center stage in Dallas, and now one analyst says the Dallas Stars should not hesitate to give him a deal worth $12 million annually.
On the latest «DLLS Stars» podcast, Owen Newkirk broke down why Robertson deserves to be paid like an elite winger, pointing to his dominant stretch after the holiday break last season.
From Christmas through the end of the regular season, Robertson ranked as the NHL's fourth-highest point producer with 57 points in 49 games, trailing only David Pastrnak, Nikita Kucherov, and Nathan MacKinnon.
Jason Robertson's post-Christmas surge shows why the Stars may need to pay top dollar
Newkirk also highlighted Robertson's goal-scoring tear during that stretch, where he tied Leon Draisaitl for the second-most goals in the league, behind only Pastrnak.
He said on the podcast:
«After Christmas, Robertson was the fourth-highest scorer in the league, and tied for second in goals. Only a handful of names in the sport can match that production.»
That kind of performance, combined with his youth and consistency, has some believing he should be paid alongside the top offensive players in hockey.
According to NHL.com, Dallas has already opened preliminary talks with Robertson's camp, knowing his next deal could reset the team's salary hierarchy.
Even Sportsnet noted his leverage is skyrocketing, especially given his scoring pace compares with MVP-level forwards.
His rise since December has also made him the clear centerpiece of Dallas's offense, which only strengthens his leverage in these ongoing contract talks.
Some fans worry about cap space, but many agree Dallas can't afford to lose their most reliable scorer at the peak of his prime.
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