Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson has indicated he will file for arbitration, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Sunday.
By filing for salary arbitration, Robertson sets up the possibility of him signing a one-year deal that would take him to unrestricted free agency in 2027. It would also eliminate the possibility of an offer sheet for him.
If a player doesn't file for arbitration by Sunday's 5 p.m. ET, teams have until Monday to decide if they will.
This continues an ongoing saga between Robertson and the Stars, who have been unable to agree to a long-term deal.
Stars general manager Jim Nill told reporters on the first day of free agency that the goal was to sign Robertson, and that he remained in contact with the forward's representatives.
"I think everybody needs to understand this is July 1, Nill said. "The games don't start until September and this is the part of contract negotiations. The goal is to get him signed."
Dallas had a trade set up with the Seattle Kraken, who were going to offer Robertson a large contract in the $15 million range, but the forward turned down the move.
The Stars made a qualifying offer to Robertson before free agency opened.
The Stars drafted Robertson 39th overall in the second round of the 2017 draft. He has 490 points (213 goals and 277 assists) in 456 regular-season games since his NHL debut in February 2020.
