Jason Robertson trade rumors are real, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly deep in it.
Elliotte Friedman reported the Penguins and Dallas Stars have had pretty serious talks about Robertson, a name almost nobody expected to hear moving this summer.
Robertson just put up 96 points in 82 games this season, scoring 45 goals and finishing at a plus-22 with Dallas.
He's been scorching lately too, posting 13 points over his last 10 games as the Stars closed in on a top-three finish overall.
Dallas went 50-20-12 for 112 points this season, ranked third overall, hardly the record of a team desperate to move a top scorer.
The graphic behind Friedman's report lays out the framework in plain terms, and it's already spreading fast through Penguins circles.
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Why Dallas might actually consider moving Robertson
Pittsburgh finished 41-25-16 for 98 points this season under coach Dan Muse, sitting 10th overall with real playoff hopes alive.
GM Kyle Dubas has been aggressive before, and adding a $7,750,000 winger with 96-point upside next to Sidney Crosby changes the entire forward mix.
Anthony Mantha already gave Pittsburgh 64 points last season on a bargain deal, so Dubas clearly isn't afraid to build around value forwards.
Robertson also chipped in 8 points over 6 playoff games for Dallas, proof his offense doesn't disappear when the games get tighter.
Wyatt Johnston added 86 points of his own this season, giving Dallas real forward depth if it ever decided to move Robertson for other needs.
Dallas moving a 26-year-old, 96-point winger would be a stunning admission that cap math matters more than production right now.
Nothing here is close to a done deal, and Dallas hasn't confirmed a single detail publicly. But when Friedman uses the words pretty serious talks, Penguins fans have every reason to pay attention.
Should the Penguins really pursue a blockbuster trade for Jason Robertson?
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