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As the 2026 NHL offseason approaches, and with good reason, Jason Robertson is starting to circulate in early trade discussions. When a top-tier winger potentially becomes available with his scoring ability, it immediately reshapes the market and forces contenders to take notice.

Not every team can realistically land Robertson, but some are a logical fit based on cap space, roster needs and competitive deadlines. Here are five destinations that would really make sense if the Dallas Stars decide to seriously explore the idea of ​​trading Robertson this offseason!

chicago blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks would be a great landing spot for Robertson. Chicago has the most cap space in the NHL thanks to signing both Robertson and rising star Connor Bedard to long-term contract extensions. The Blackhawks have the assets to inherit a big contract in Dallas and the Caps; However, that will depend on whether Robertson wants to play in Chicago.

carolina storm

The Carolina Hurricanes are a Stanley Cup-level organization in 2026, and Robertson will take them to an even higher level. Carolina may not have the cap space of other organizations, but it has placed an emphasis on star players in the past. Robertson may not completely command his next spot as a restricted free agent, but he would be a great addition to the Hurricanes’ top six.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are rebuilding, and Robertson would be a great way to start it this summer. With plenty of cap space, New York will be in the market for a big-game player, and the 26-year-old forward’s 40-plus goals will count. If Dallas decides Robertson won’t be a long-term fit, expect the Rangers to be in the mix.

pittsburgh penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have plenty of cap space from their Stanley Cup playoff run, and Robertson would be an excellent acquisition. Pittsburgh has an old roster with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, so Robertson will help the Penguins chase the Stanley Cup while building a future. There will be a lot of pressure to be “the guy” after Crosby, but Robertson would fit the mold.

detroit red wings

The Detroit Red Wings need to take a big swing, and Robertson would be the perfect answer. Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman acknowledged that better players are needed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, and that he has the potential to do so. It looks like the Red Wings are ready to acquire a star, and Jason Robertson would be one of the best options during the NHL offseason.

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Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The NHL used to have 30 teams before expanding to 32 in the last decade. In 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights debuted and won their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken head into 2021 as they continue to work toward their second playoff berth. However, the NHL is looking to expand even further, and two destinations have emerged.

As Jeff Marek reports at The Sheet, Atlanta and Houston are considered top-2 NHL expansion destinations. Atlanta fielded two NHL teams, but they never lasted. The Flames were in Atlanta from 1972 to 1980 before moving to Calgary. Then, the Thrashers came to the city from 1999 to 2011 before becoming the Winnipeg Jets.

The city lost NHL teams twice due to poor performance on the ice, weak attendance, and ownership instability. They also faced financial losses, an inability to build a dedicated fan base, and management problems. However, could the third time be a charm?

Houston, meanwhile, has never had an NHL team, but has hosted minor league and World Hockey Association teams. Most notably, hockey legend Gordie Howe was a member of the Houston Eros during the 1970s. Despite not having an NHL team, Houston has always been mentioned as a potential expansion city.

The NHL won’t force an expansion to 34 teams, but it’s clearly something that could happen in the next few seasons. Thirty-two teams have been great for the game and hockey is growing even more in North America. If the league is to expand, it would make sense to bring in two new cities at the same time.

Houston and Atlanta have different hockey histories; However, both may find an NHL team in the next few years.

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Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky