Yesterday, Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon listed the Detroit Red Wings as one of seven possible destinations for Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, who may or may not be a salary cap casualty as Dallas has to re-sign several young restricted free agents before the 2026-2027 season.
As I said yesterday, I’m not a big fan of the “fit” or lack thereof for Robertson, who will likely have a say in where he’s moved, and I don’t believe that the Stars have any urgency to move Robertson before next year’s trade deadline (presuming they move him at all).
That being said, Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen does believe that there’s a “fit” in terms of the assets that the Red Wings would have to surrender to acquire Robertson’s services:
The expectation is that the Stars, if they trade Robertson, will be looking to recoup the assets they gave-up to acquire Rantanen from Carolina. They gave up two first-round picks (2026 and 2028), plus Logan Stankoven and two third-round picks.
If they do that, it would be as if they traded Robertson for Rantanen.
Looking to take the next step in their rebuild, the Red Wings could give up two first-rounders. They don’t have a player like Stankoven, but they could offer William Wallinder. He’s not a top four defensive prospect, but he projects to be a dependable third line performer. They also a bushel of players with potential like Anton Johansson, Shai Buium, Max Plante, Jesse Kiiskinen, Carter Mazur, etc.
The Red Wings will have to give up someone they don’t want to give up to get this kind of deal done.
The other aspect of this kind of deal is whether Robertson is willing to entertain signing long-term with his new team. You can’t really make this kind of deal without a belief is probable. Robertson did play in Detroit as a youth player.
Continued; they say that the team which ends up with the best player “wins” a trade, but if I’m going to be “playing GM,” I don’t see the Red Wings’ front office surrendering 2 first-round picks and at least a top prospect for Robertson.
Do the Red Wings need another top-six forward? Sure. But I’m not sold on Robertson’s asking price being met, never mind Robertson’s willingness to sign an extension with the Red Wings. It just doesn’t seem likely to me.
Two mid first round picks plus a prospect seems like a great price for a young 80 to 100 points per year producer. Getting him to re-sign does seem to be the big sticking point.