Canadian team targeting blockbuster trade for superstar winger of the Dallas Stars

After two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals, Pete DeBoer's team feels it belongs to the upper echelons of the NHL. But this season is not just a matter of racking up points or home ice, as they need to close it out.

Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, a 2023 NHL All-Star first-team member, has been carrying his weight, maintaining a near 38-goal, 89-point pace since 2020-21.

That means Robertson, Roope Hintz, and 21-year-old Wyatt Johnston need to get it done in crunch time.

So far, their inconsistency is a painful reminder of last season's playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers. In that playoff series, Hintz and Robertson combined to score just a point in their losses.

That is a fundamental question: Is Robertson a force on a Stanley Cup-winning team's top line, and is Hintz a true No. 1 center? Johnston is going to have to be the game-changer that keeps Dallas in playoff contention as well.

Time is of the essence to get their answers, given that the trade deadline is looming large. Depth is everything, but as Dallas learned, it's hard to replace star power when it's most crucial.

Robertson already has shown he can handle the pressure, as he has shown with his 46-goals and 109-point season two years ago, which was enough to merit a Hart Trophy nomination.

But if Dallas grows impatient and is willing to trade him, says NHL analyst Jeff Marek, a likely suitor is the Ottawa Senators.

Time is of the essence, and with the deadline looming on March 7, the Stars need to get their next move in soon. Should the Senators come knocking, will the Stars bite? We'll know within the next three weeks.