Penguins get Jason Robertson trade update just before start of free agency

Jason Robertson has immense talent, and he might cost too much for the Dallas Stars to keep.

If that's what happens, keep an eye on the Pittsburgh Penguins. They're trying to position themselves as the destination in what could be a sign-and-trade.

The Athletic's Josh Yohe reported Wednesday morning, just before the opening of free agency, that the Penguins are really going after Robertson.

"(Kyle) Dubas has long wanted to acquire Robertson," Yohe writes. "He felt similarly about star defenseman Erik Karlsson and landed him in Pittsburgh a few summers ago after trying to do the same in Toronto. Robertson was not willing to play in Seattle, but the Penguins believe the winger would be willing to play in Pittsburgh. Penguins sources said Dallas is more interested in Pittsburgh’s young assets than its veterans. Dubas admitted last weekend that he tried tirelessly to move up in the draft. By several accounts, he also tried to make quite a splash by landing Robertson. It didn’t happen, but Dubas has not given up."

MORE: What the Gavin McKenna pick means for the Maple Leafs

Robertson is the kind of player you keep going after. He put up 45 goals and 51 assists in the 2025-26 season for the Stars, and he's in his prime.

Many made the case that he should've made the U.S. Olympic team, but he was snubbed. It didn't stop him from finishing the NHL season in prolific fashion.

Now, there's a chance he goes elsewhere. Robertson is probably worth about $12 million per year, and the Stars basically have that much cap space remaining to fill out their entire roster.

The Penguins are going to keep pestering.

"So long as a trade is possible, though, Dubas is likely to keep trying to make it work," Yohe writes. "Though he is extremely reluctant to deal too many young assets — the organization had next to no prospects when Dubas took over in 2023, and he’s done strong work building the system — Dubas is willing to make a dent in his system to land a young player of Robertson’s caliber."

There aren't a ton of big-name unrestricted free agents. Landing Robertson could be the win of July if the Penguins pull it off.

More NHL news:

• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins
• It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question