It could be media-driven fantasy, but the Penguins might have a legitimate chance to get star winger Jason Robertson from Dallas, either via trade before the season’s March 6 deadline or by signing him to an offer sheet when Robertson becomes a restricted free agent in the offseason.
The former would be a better bet, with Robertson signing long-term a condition of making the trade. The latter could easily see the Penguins outbid by a destination Robertson might prefer.
Then again, the Penguins could easily be outbid in the former process, too. At 26 and in his prime, Robertson would be a hot commodity.
Robertson might be available because the Stars are cap-strapped.
According to PuckPedia, the Stars have over $65 million committed to seven players for next season. The cap is projected to be $104 million.
The Stars can’t afford Robertson. The Penguins can.
The Penguins are $27 million under the current cap of $92.5 million, with another $24.75 million slated to come off the books at season’s end.
Robertson will likely get a seven-year deal (via the route of sign-and-trade) at roughly $12 million per.
The Penguins have never paid a player that much.
That’s because Sidney Crosby has given them a break by being paid according to his birthdate, Aug, 7: $8.7 million per.
For his sake, Crosby should have been born on, say, Dec. 7: Four months and $4 million per year later.
Robertson recently switched agents from Pat Brisson (Crosby’s rep) to Andy Scott, who negotiated long-term contracts with the Stars for Thomas Harley, Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen.
It would be tough for the Stars to retain Robertson. But Robertson likely hired Scott in an attempt to figure out a way to stay in Dallas.
So, there are plenty of obstacles to Robertson becoming a Penguin.
But this space doesn’t fill itself. Let’s continue fantasizing.
If the Penguins trade for Robertson, here’s what might go the other way:
• Either winger Rickard Rakell or winger Bryan Rust. (Because Dallas is in legit contention to win the Stanley Cup. Much more so than the Penguins. Dallas isn’t going to significantly weaken. Which is why the Stars might not trade Robertson, period.)
• A young, NHL-ready prospect like Rutger McGroarty. (But not Ben Kindel.)
• A first-round pick.
• A second-round pick. (In a different year.)
That’s what I’d be willing to give.
It would be difficult to surrender a player with tenure. Especially Rust, a Penguin through and through. Crosby wouldn’t like that.
But in 1992, then-GM Craig Patrick dealt two well-liked future Hall-of-Famers who had just won the prior season’s Stanley Cup in a huge trade:
Paul Coffey and Mark Recchi left.
Rick Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson and Ken Wregget arrived.
The Penguins won a second straight Cup.
Mario Lemieux was close to Coffey and Recchi.
But Lemieux didn’t mind that deal. It put him on his best line ever, centering Tocchet and Kevin Stevens.
It’s about winning, not maintaining that old gang of mine.
Getting Robertson wouldn’t make the Penguins into Cup contenders immediately.
But acquiring a nailed-on star in his prime is almost impossible to do in the NHL. NHL players can’t become unrestricted free agents till they’re 27 or have completed seven seasons.
Director of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas needs to get a star by some method besides drafting and developing. The better to fit the remaining timetable for Crosby’s career.
The Penguins’ system has a lot of talent. But no prospect equates to a star-caliber forward. Kindel is the best, and his ceiling projects to be a strong second-line center.
If Robertson can be had, Dubas should get him.