If the Philadelphia Flyers are serious about revamping their roster this offseason, they could be eyeing a key player from the Dallas Stars: the talented winger, Jason Robertson. Rumors suggest that the Stars might be open to trading Robertson, who has been a dynamic force in the NHL, especially as he heads into the final year of his contract with a $7.75 million cap hit.
As detailed by NHL insider Jeff Marek, there’s a sense that the Stars are looking to bolster their toughness after their recent playoff run. With the need for defensive depth glaring, the Stars are also looking to create cap space for upgrades. This puts a player of Robertson’s caliber, a former 100-point scorer, in the spotlight as a potential trade chip.
Jumping into the trade discussions, it’s worth noting that the Flyers find themselves in a favorable position financially. With nearly $23 million in cap space, they only need to worry about re-signing their restricted free agents—Cam York, Noah Cates, and potentially Jakob Pelletier. The financial logistics of fitting the 6-foot-3 Robertson’s salary into their payroll would be manageable, especially considering they’ll see the contracts of Kevin Hayes and Scott Laughton coming off the books soon, along with other expiring deals.
Robertson isn’t just another player; he’s an offensive powerhouse. He’s tallied notable numbers over the past few seasons, consistently scoring in bunches and proving his worth as a game-changer. The Flyers, looking to shake up their roster after experiencing a tough rebuilding phase, could greatly benefit from integrating a player like Robertson. Currently, their top left-wing options include Tyson Foerster and Owen Tippett, who bring their own value but are both right-shot players – a mismatch that Robertson would immediately rectify.
Looking at the trade dynamics, it’s clear the Dallas Stars have their share of needs, particularly as they juggle re-signing several players, including big names like Mikael Granlund and Jamie Benn. With just $4.95 million in cap space, the Stars are in a position where they may have to make substantial decisions to maintain their core while also enhancing their roster depth.
The Flyers could leverage this situation, offering substantial assets in exchange for Robertson. Both of their late first-round picks in the 2025 draft could be on the table, alongside defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who, even recovering from injury, could provide a significant upgrade for Dallas’s blueline.
While replacing a player like Robertson presents its own challenges, Philadelphia could also entice the Stars with a player like Tippett, who brings speed and potential to the forefront. Though not as prolific in production, Tippett’s locked-in contract offers Dallas a strategic advantage, allowing them to perhaps reshape their depth without breaking the bank.
As for the Flyers, their options extend to other intriguing prospects that might catch the Stars’ eye, including York, Bobby Brink, and Foerster—a bounty of talent that could construct a compelling offer. It’s a high price to pay, but landing a 100-point player like Robertson could shift the trajectory of the Flyers. And with the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft and the potential of future stars like Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia has the makings of a powerful resurgence if they can make this deal happen.
This is a pivotal moment for the Flyers as they navigate their rebuilding journey; adding a star like Robertson might just be the catalyst they need to return to contention.
