Canadiens Trade Talk: Evaluating Robertson Trade Rumours

It’s no secret that the Montreal Canadiens are looking to bolster their lineup, with most fans calling for a second-line centre to play alongside prospect Ivan Demidov.

However, talent is finite in the NHL, which means they can’t ignore any potential avenue that would lead to an elite player, such as Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.

The Stars are looking to make a few changes following a third-straight year in which they were eliminated with ease in the Western Conference Final. Now that they’ve signed forward Mikko Rantanen to a mega-contract that carries a $12 million annual average value (AAV), there are some concerns they are headed towards an untenable situation from a salary-cap management standpoint.

Hearing of some big changes coming for the Stars

— Savannah Huemoeller (@sportssavvyy) June 2, 2025

With that in mind, Robertson’s name has surfaced in trade rumours as a player who may have to be moved.

He’s not a centre, but let’s make one thing clear, Robertson is an elite player who is just 25 years old, making him an interesting trade target for the offence-starved Montreal Canadiens. It’s not just a matter of producing more than a point-per-game over the course of his five full seasons in the NHL, though that is clearly a plus.

Robertson’s underlying numbers are fantastic, to the point that it’s a little shocking he’d be seriously included in any trade talk.

Should the Stars trade Jason Robertson?

If so, who should be interested? #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/fIIDHbOveB

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 2, 2025

Of course, there’s more to managing a hockey team than just finding players who can produce. Dallas lacks cap space, and Robertson is due for a very healthy raise next summer, as the Stars only managed to sign him to a four-year deal which expires in 2026. The old-school method of evaluating star players via a bridge deal rarely works in the modern sports landscape, and Robertson is the perfect example.

Beyond having to keep money aside for a raise, any team looking to acquire Robertson will have to pony up.

This is not a matter of sending Dallas spare parts for a lightly used Lamborghini.

Forget the type of offer that would involve packaging Michael Ryder, Jaroslav Halak, and a second-round pick.

Oops, I meant a 2025 first-round pick, and some other asset Habs fans wouldn’t mind losing.

If Montreal wants to convince Dallas to move Robertson, they’d have to include some of their best prospects, not to mention enough picks to compensate for the loss of a star player.

Admittedly, coming up with trade offers is not my strength, as I tend to underrate Canadiens players and prospects, but in this case, I feel like Dallas would only trade Robertson if a trade offer would move the needle.

Think of it this way, would the Montreal Canadiens trade a player who cracked the 100-point mark just a couple of years into his NHL career for an offer that only amounts to the sum of the parts once a few mediocre pieces are included?

Absolutely not.

That doesn’t mean the Habs can’t perform due diligence, one of their clear strengths, but if they want to take a ride on the riverboat, they’ll have to go down to the river.

From what I’m hearing the places are limited, and the cost is astronomical.