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Should Dallas Stars’ Fans Be Worried About Oettinger and Robertson

By Ryan Chambers

May 5, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) celebrate win with teammates against the Calgary Flames in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) celebrate win with teammates against the Calgary Flames in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saad Yousuf’s latest insider information with the Dallas Stars when it comes to contract negotiations with Jake Oettinger has caused panic among the Stars’ faithful.

https://twitter.com/SaadYousuf126/status/1555722802015223808?s=20&t=CRYl8VmV7eT-HTa_2P24kg

Both camps have discussed the desire to work it out and get a deal done but according to Yousuf’s sources, talks have not gone well. So should Stars’ fans panic about not signing Oettinger or Jason Robertson yet?

In my experience in watching the way negotiations have gone with restricted free agents (RFAs) in the past with other NHL teams, I’m NOT worried about the contract negotiations for either player, and I’m very certain that a deal WILL get done for both players before the regular season starts.

RFAs are not allowed to sign with just any team they want like unrestricted free agents (UFAs). RFAs can sign what’s called an offer sheet with another team, but their original team has the right to match the offer sheet and retain the player.

Just for giggles, let’s say Robertson signs an offer sheet that is a 7 year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth $9.5 million dollars per season. The Dallas Stars would then have about a week to match that contract and retain Robertson. If the Stars did not match the contract, they would receive two first round picks, a second round pick, and a third round pick from the Ducks.

Let’s also just put this out there as well,  the Dallas Stars would match anything and everything to keep both players if they signed offer sheets. So, the Stars have more control in the negotiations than the players themselves do.

However, it is very unlikely either one of them signs an offer sheet at this point anyways. Over half the league either has little or no cap space and the teams that do have cap space are not in any place to make a big move that would put them in contention for a playoff spot.

Throughout the cap era history of the NHL, a majority of RFAs have signed with their respective teams by the time the season started. This includes several big names over the past couple of seasons including Kirill Kaprizov who apparently was going to return to KHL (remember those rumors?) and Mitch Marner who was vilified by Toronto fans and media.

The only player off of the top of my head that I can remember who sat out for an extended period of time is William Nylander, a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He ended up signing with the Leafs moments before the 4 pm deadline on December 1st of 2018.

Had Nylander not signed before this deadline, he would not have been eligible to play the rest of that season or in the following playoffs. This particular situation was very unique and has not happened very many times in NHL history.

So, long story short, should Stars fans be worried? In my opinion (that nobody really cares about), no. Mark my words, Jake Oettinger and Jason Robertson both will be signed to contracts before the regular season starts.

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