Neue StarsCoach Pete DeBoer stated that he would be exhausted from the excitement of coaching this offseason. Jason Robertson. The excitement will be put on hold. According to Jim Nill, the Dallas general manager Jim Nill, Robertson will not attend Cedar Park’s Stars training camp on Thursday morning.
Robertson’s absence is due to contract negotiations that have stalled. The 23-year old restricted free agent comes off a season where he scored 41 goals, and was a Stars point-per-game player. Nill, who is not known for his willingness to negotiate contracts through media, stated that the talks have been positive, but that both sides are still trying to resolve some issues. Nill indicated that the Stars would be open to a bridge or long-term agreement with Robertson, but he did not intend on expanding beyond that.
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“Let’s hope this comes together quickly,” Nill said. “I think he’s disappointed he’s not at camp and we are too. This is important for younger players, as well as, as you said, for new coaches and all other things. We have some time. We wish he gets here as soon as he can.”
Stars knew from the start of the offseason that they had to offer a lucrative deal for their young star. The Stars have gone through the whole wave of free agency and signed fellow restricted-free agents. Jake OettingerTo a new contract, and even made a substantial trade Monday evening. Robertson’s contract is still on the table.
The Stars have approximately $7-$8 millions to work with. Nill said he doesn’t believe the team needs to make any moves to create additional cap space in order to get a deal done with Robertson. At one point, the thought was that after Oettinger signed his deal a couple of weeks ago, Robertson’s would follow in pretty short order. Instead, negotiations stalled, which cost Robertson training camp and potentially jeopardized his availability for the season’s start in less than a year.
(Photo: Sergei Belski / USA Today)
