![[Brien Rea] 4pm CT today is the deadline for players to file for arbitration. If a player files, he can no longer sign an offer sheet. Teams can file for arbitration tomorrow. Teams and players can continue negotiating even after filing for arbitration. #TexasHockey](https://preview.redd.it/uxc4x9k05fbh1.jpeg?auto=webp&s=1da24c2fce2ce7f3134221486f2fc77b4a4dab45)
The reason this is news is that this is the first time it's been reported that arbitration is apparently off the table from Dallas' perspective.
This also seems to indicate that a trade is still more likely than not.
There were many avenues available in the Robertson saga, and arbitration was one of them. That route is now closed according to this reporting. Of course, nothing is set in stone, but this does seem to make the possibility of arbitration unlikely.
There are still plenty of other options: re-sign long term, re-sign bridge, re-sign QO, trade without a contract in place, trade with a contract in place. Robertson could sit out. Still lots of options.
I'd also like to get out in front of the crowd who are just going to scream "fake news" at any and all reporting on the issue. I do my best to only post reporting from reputable sources. Friedman is the gold standard for insider reporting for the NHL. There are plenty of people out there who just throw out random words and unsubstantiated nonsense to get attention. Friedman is not one of them. Sometimes he has his opinions, but he does a decent job of separating his reporting from his opinions and feelings.
Elliotte Friedman reported that a trade was in place to send Robertson to Seattle. The number 7 overall pick was part of that package going back to Dallas. Seattle was then given permission to talk to Robertson’s camp and offered an 8 year, $15 AAV contract. The contract was also heavily front-loaded to avoid paying some state taxes under the new tax law which will be enacted in 2028. Robertson turned down that offer.
Friedman also reported that there are now a lot of hurt feelings, and they are back to square one on the Robertson saga.
It has also been rumored that the #7 overall pick was then going to be flipped for Matthew Knies.
Friedman said that everyone is shocked that this didn’t happen.
Dreger's not a nobody, and he's not known for just putting out unsubstantiated nonsense (Pagnotta, Seravalli). This is probably the strongest indicator to date that - like Dreger said - Robertson is more likely than not to be dealt.
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I could tell you what I was trying to fix when I did the factory reset, but it's irrelevant, and it would also make me look like a big dumb dumbass, so just enjoy the fact that I stumbled into this.
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I hope it stays and that it works for all of you.