Nick Kypreos reveals Jason Robertson's preferred trade destination

The Pittsburgh Penguins may have been building toward Jason Robertson long before this summer's headlines, and insider Nick Kypreos believes it started with a trade for his own brother.

Kypreos reported on Sportsnet that Pittsburgh's acquisition of winger Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs carried more motives than roster depth.

Part of the thinking, he suggested, was building a bridge to Nick's older brother Jason, the Dallas Stars scoring winger who has spent much of the offseason at the center of trade speculation.

According to Kypreos, Pittsburgh sits high on Jason's list of preferred destinations, regardless of how a move eventually comes together.

He noted that the market itself, not just the roster, genuinely interests the 26 year old winger, something front offices rarely get for free when chasing a star.

Nick signed a two year, $6.5 million contract with Pittsburgh this offseason after general manager Kyle Dubas brought him aboard, giving the Penguins a personal connection inside a locker room they hope Jason eventually joins.

Jason, meanwhile, avoided arbitration with Dallas by agreeing to a one year deal, leaving his long term future unsettled even as the Stars try to keep their top producer in the fold.

Robertson has scored more than 40 goals in three separate seasons and has produced 213 goals and 277 assists across 456 career games, numbers that explain why so many contenders keep circling.

Dallas has reportedly resisted moving him for anything short of a significant player in return, and Pittsburgh has been repeatedly floated as a suitor with the cap space to make a run at him.

Whether it ends in a trade or a future free agency chase, the groundwork appears to already be in place.

Also read on House Of Hockey :
Buffalo Sabres bolster blue line with low-risk veteran signing