NHL Rumors: Dallas Stars Close to Finalizing 2 Contracts

The Dallas Stars have two orders of business that remain outstanding. Both forward Jason Robertson and goaltender Jake Oettinger are restricted free agents who are in need of a contract for this season. From the sounds of it, deals are close and could be announced by early next week.

Stars owner Tom Gaglardi was a recent guest on 'The Cam & Strick Podcast' and revealed there's no much pressure being felt by management as the player's don't have a ton of leverage:

You're an RFA, there's really no deadline, there's no hurry, and that's kind of how things go. These RFA deals will often sit and wait, that's kind of the nature of it. ... We've got the cap space sitting, waiting for these guys. And so no, we're not concerned about it. It's finding the right fit, it'll be finding the right number and the right term. … Those conversations are happening, I can't tell you that a deal is imminent, but maybe one of them is more imminent, I don't know. A kid in the third year of his entry-level (deal) puts up 40 goals and now he wants to make $7 million. If you want term with that player, he's going to take you higher than that. … The stars are taking all the money, and the guys in the middle are getting squeezed. I think there's a lot of players in the league making a million dollars who are better players, and then the guys who can put the puck in the net are getting too big a piece of the pie. … I don't like it, but that's the market, and that's the way it works.

Robertson is coming off a massive season, scoring 41 times, including 28 at even strength. Oettinger used the Stanley Cup Playoffs as his coming out party, recording an impressive .954 save % and a 1.81 goals against average. Both players are expected to sign long-term deals to keep them in Big D for years to come.