The Stars and Jason Robertson avoid arbitration, the Mammoth re-sign John Marino, the Blue Jackets and Jett Greaves remain apart in contract talks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars and winger Jason Robertson avoided salary arbitration, agreeing on Tuesday to a one-year, $12 million contract.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

Robertson, 26, was a restricted free agent coming off a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $7.75 million. He was slated for an arbitration hearing on Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was reportedly seeking $14 million annually while the Stars countered with $12 million.

This contract buys time for both sides. Robertson wants to remain with the Stars, vetoing a trade to the Seattle Kraken after refusing their offer of an eight-year deal worth $15 million annually. The Stars want to keep him, especially as they push for a Stanley Cup in 2026-27, but at their price.

Robertson was due for a substantial raise after leading the Stars in scoring last season with 45 goals and 96 points. He’s also been consistently among their top scorers since his rookie season during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, finishing no lower than second in each of those seasons.

Another high-scoring season will ensure that Robertson will get a big pay bump on his next deal. He’ll either get that lucrative new contract with the Stars or another club as an unrestricted free agent next July. Given the rise in the salary cap to $113.5 million for 2027-28, his asking price could be more than $14 million annually.

The Stars will have more salary-cap space next summer ($41.163 million as per PuckPedia) to re-sign Robertson. They can open contract extension talks on Jan. 1.

Robertson was the subject of frequent trade speculation last season. The longer he goes without an extension, the more rumors will arise about his future in Dallas.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year contract extension worth an AAV of $6.75 million. He’s in the final season of a six-year deal with an AAV of $4.4 million.

Marino, 29, is coming off a career-best 36-point performance in 80 games last season. He’s been among their best all-around defensemen, playing a key role in the Mammoth’s improvement as they reached the playoffs last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong believes Marino can become an elite puck-moving defenseman. They consider him to be an invaluable part of their blueline corps. Given the steady rise of the salary cap, this could become a cost-effective contract.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets and goaltender Jet Greaves appear to be far apart in contract negotiations as his July 23rd arbitration hearing approaches.

Both sides submitted their briefs to the arbitrator on Tuesday on a one-year contract. Greaves is seeking $7.5 million while the Blue Jackets offered $2.8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If this goes to arbitration, Greaves could get an amount somewhere around the midpoint of those two submissions. However, he and the Jackets could also reach an agreement before Thursday’s scheduled hearing, which is usually the outcome as these cases rarely go before an arbitrator.

THE ATHLETIC: The New York Rangers hired two former players for development roles.

Jonathan Quick will become the Rangers’ new director of goaltending development. Derick Brassard becomes a player development assistant.

Quick, 40. retired at the end of 2025-26 after 19 seasons as a goaltender, 16 of those with the Los Angeles Kings. He spent the past three seasons as the Rangers’ backup.

Brassard spent 16 seasons in the NHL as a center, with four of those as a Ranger.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium is hoping for a breakout performance this season. The 20-year-old finished third among rookie blueliners last season with 26 points in 76 games. He’s spending the offseason focused on improving his stamina.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buium was part of the return the Canucks received in the trade that sent superstar rearguard Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. He’s expected to become an important part of the club’s rebuild.

ESPN.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues will have their games produced and distributed by NHL Productions this season.

The four clubs had agreements with Main Street Sports, which operated regional channels under the FanDuel Sports Network brand and went out of business at the end of last season.