Sports

Wild’s biggest rival just got even tougher to deal with next season

Gone Puck Wild · Jul 22, 2026 18:41 · 3 min read

Jason Robertson on the ice for the Dallas Stars — Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) looks on during the third period against the Minnesota Wild in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jason Robertson's return to the Stars gives the Wild another problem to deal with next season.

The Minnesota Wild know how competitive the Central Division can be and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down entering the 2026-27 season. The Dallas Stars are expected to be one of the Wild’s biggest obstacles entering next season, but while that’s not surprising considering their rivalry is set to hit another level, it may be surprising that star winger Jason Robertson will be part of it.

Robertson had been in the news as he was a restricted free agent, but found a way to stay in Dallas on a one-year, $12 million contract that was announced on Tuesday night. The news was a dud for Wild fans that thought he may be on his way out of the Central Division and even if that meant sniping them in a deal involving Dylan Larkin, it confirms the Wild will have to deal with one of their biggest adversaries again next season.

Jason Robertson’s new contract continues his villain trajectory against the Wild

The rivalry between the Wild and Stars has been intense in recent years and Robertson has been a driving force. His presence was felt during the 2020-21 season when he challenged Kirill Kaprizov for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, but even though Kaprizov won the award, Robertson has continued to have a stellar career.

The overall numbers tell the story as Robertson has 213 goals and 490 points in seven seasons with the Stars including a 45-goal, 96-point campaign last season. That narrative shifts towards the Wild’s direction when they battle their divisional opponent as Robertston has 14 goals and 22 points in 19 career games against Minnesota.

The playoffs are another animal where Robertson scored twice and recorded seven points with four power play assists during a six-game series win over the Wild in 2023. While the Wild came out on top in last year’s playoff series, it wasn’t at the fault of Robertson, who scored five times and recorded eight points in six games.

Add in a revenge element after Wild General Manager Bill Guerin snubbed Robertson for the United States teams in the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics last February and Robertson has plenty of motivation to stick it to Minnesota. But his role as a villain could only grow and perhaps reach the levels of Jamie Benn if he has another big year next year.

That motivation will be there as Robertson will be a restricted free agent next summer. And while the Stars could technically flip Robertson, things would have to crumble around him as Dallas’s championship window is still open.

It’s a different aspect if Robertson was traded for Larkin or sent anywhere else in the league. While getting sniped by a division rival isn’t ideal, Larkin isn’t the same caliber of player as Robertson and such a move would weaken their talent on the wings. It also opens the door for a potential contract extension next summer, which means Robertson could stay beyond this season as he’s eligible for a new deal on Jan. 1.

Wild fans have enough reason to hate the Stars and consider them as a serious threat going into next season. But with Robertson still in the mix, it makes that task more difficult and perhaps hand the Wild another offseason loss.