Trade discussions between Stars and Penguins for Jason Robertson suddenly involves the Oilers

The reporting is real. Penguins insider Josh Yohe says a growing belief inside the organization holds that Robertson would welcome a move to Pittsburgh, with brother Nick Robertson already in the fold as a soft lure.

The problem is a detail Robertson himself created. He filed for salary arbitration this month, which erased any chance of a rival offer sheet. That leaves a sign-and-trade as the only path to Pittsburgh - and Dallas controls every inch of it.

A player wanting out means something when he can pressure his team. Robertson cannot.

He has already turned down Seattle and St. Louis this offseason, proof his preference is real - but preference is not a no-trade clause.

GM Jim Nill has not let talks turn serious, the Stars are still pushing a long-term extension, and their asking price sits at a Rantanen-level haul.

Robertson is reportedly chasing roughly $14 million per season. Pittsburgh has the cap room, but cap room does not force a trade the other side does not want to make.

Kyle Dubas can keep the door open all summer; the lock is on Dallas's side.

Fans have already drafted the fix, shipping Rickard Rakell to Edmonton to clear the money.

That gets it backward. Rakell carries a $5 million cap hit through 2027-28 and still posted 48 points in an injury-shortened 60 games - one of the most efficient deals Pittsburgh owns, and exactly the contract contenders covet.

A Robertson trade would not cost Rakell. It would cost the prospect pool Dubas spent three years rebuilding.

That, not a winger swap, is the real price.

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