NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 22, 2026
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.
Well that’s done! Robertson took the team friendly option this year. But now, who do they shed to be cap compliant?
And with Seguin coming off the books next year, unless he’s like Benn and will play for league minimum I’m guessing the two are done in Dallas if not done for their careers… that way they have the money to pay Robertson’s asking price (but that could be close to 16-18 million due to Leo Carlson’s number… Jim Nill the magician!!!
It is just a brief reprieve before another big storm of “negotiations” while the rumor mill grows exponentially. 😒
I wonder how many more Stars have to be sacrificed to sign Robo.
I 100% believe there is a “wink-wink” deal with JRob and Dallas for next year.
Dallas couldn’t go above $12M this year.
But next year Seguin’s $9.85M comes off the books.
If he was chasing $ only, he’d be in Seattle. I’mg guessing he really wants to stay in Dallas and agreed to a $12M deal this year only and will cash in with Dallas again for $14-$15m next year on a multi year deal.
Dallas still has to make a few moves to fit that $12M in, but the gap (about $1.4M over) is doable now.
What’s the problem?
Dallas is barely over the cap and have 14 forwards, 23 players total, dropping one is easy.
Seguin is UFA at the end of the year if he lasts that long. he and his $9.8m contract that he never lived up to are gone.
Robertson bought time, Nill bought time.
If Robertson wanted to leave or wanted the money he’d have forced the issue.
Habfan the power now all goes to Robertson because now Dallas cant trade him & unless they agree to a new deal, Robertson walks next July 1. The biggest pressure on Robertson to staying in Dallas with a brinks truck full of money is to duplicate this last year, which is totally possible. But if he doesnt & Dallas dont want to go as high as he seems to feel he’s worth, he walks for free because his safety net is there si always another GM that will pay him his $$$ July 1. Great move by Robertson. Will be fun to watch.
Potlicker,
They can trade him more easily than before since this 1 yr deal doesn’t have a NMC.
It’s more probable that both sides are showing a readiness to get things done next year when the cap space is there.
Habfan my humble apology I thought that was an arb award so yes you are right about that. Still going to be hard on Stars fans because how do you trade him at the trade deadline of you are playoff bound & arent close on a new deal. I guess Stamkos & Tampa did that but wow Stars fans better load up on the extra strength Maalox.
Dallas has 41 mil cap space for 27-28 with 13 players signed. They can sign him on January 1st & probably has a contract ironed out waiting to be signed.
I fully expect Jet Greaves to go to arbitration tomorrow…Columbus lowballed him and I’m sure he feels disrespected.
Absolutely correct DMR. He may not yet be worth $7.5m. but with the year he just had he’s certainly worth more than $2.85m.
Dallas,Minnesota,Vegas,and Colorado keep rosters flexible so they can compete with each other. Every time one of them make a move you look for a reaction from the other 3. Utah looks like they want to enter the fray with their trades and contract signings! Interesting time in the Wild West!
Sr – what do you mean by keeping rosters flexible? All 3 are now tight to the cap. All 3 have a few notable free agents to re up and all 3 have 1 major star to sign before next off season.
All are strong rosters certainly and well managed, not disputing that, just wonder the context behind your phrasing of flexible.
Habfan my humble apology I thought that was an arb award so yes you are right about that. Still going to be hard on Stars fans because how do you trade him at the trade deadline of you are playoff bound & arent close on a new deal. I guess Stamkos & Tampa did that but wow Stars fans better load up on the extra strength Maalox.