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New Jason Robertson Update Raises Red Flags for the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
A new update from NHL analyst Nick Kypreos shows that Jason Robertson is looking to get paid on his next deal, and the amount should cause some concern for Toronto.
Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson has been one of the league's brightest stars over the past few seasons, with a ton of room to grow still he has the potential to be one of the league's elite and put up several 50+ goal seasons.
He's due for a pay raise and there's been a lot of discussion about whether or not the Stars are going to offer him an extension or if they are going to trade him and let other teams worry about that and trade his rights elsewhere.
Jason Robertson expected to be a expensive extension
A dangerous presence on the ice, Robertson deserves whatever pay he's going to get, but it's an expensive extension that is going to leave a cap strapped Dallas team even more crunched for cash.
According to Nick Kypreos, who put out his updated trade board recently, Robertson's play could earn him as much as Mikko Rantanen, a number that would make any GM blush:
Given Mikko Rantanen is making $12 million against the cap, and the upper limit is still on the rise, how high will the Stars be comfortable going on Robertson?
The feeling has been that the ask could be to match Rantanen's AAV. Robertson scored a career-high 46 goals and 109 points two years ago, but has finished with 80 points two years in a row. He scored 35 goals this past season.
The feeling has been that the ask could be to match Rantanen's AAV. Robertson scored a career-high 46 goals and 109 points two years ago, but has finished with 80 points two years in a row. He scored 35 goals this past season.
There's no doubt that Robertson has earned a huge pay raise from his $7.75-million deal, and will likely hit double digits for a long-term deal whether it's Dallas or somewhere else.
But jumping up to Rantanen's level, a player who is extremely special and one of the greatest players of the last decade is a tall ask, and until Robertson proves he can be as productive in the postseason as Rantanen; he deserves slightly less.
Toronto needs to steer clear of Jason Robertson at that price
But for teams who want to add Robertson, like the Maple Leafs, they need to be extremely cautious.
Yes, you get a 25-year old superstar, but you're paying him $10-million+ a season, with a ton of money already locked up elsewhere and no guarantee he will make your playoff team better though he has good numbers.
Robertson, 25, had 80 points in 82 games for the Stars this year (35 goals, 45 assists) which is about standard for the star. He has 394 points in 374 games (168 goals, 226 assists) and one of the better two-way players as well.
While it would be a great story for the Maple Leafs to bring in Robertson, and have him and Nicholas together on the same team, but the cost is going to be expensive to bring him in in the first place.
Then you're looking at a long-term commitment with money the team doesn't have. Probably best to steer clear for now.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 16 | 1642 ANSWERS New Jason Robertson Update Raises Red Flags for the Maple Leafs Do you think Jason Robertson is worth $12-million per season? | ||
| Yes | 190 | 11.6 % |
| No | 1452 | 88.4 % |
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