Robertson won’t show up for Stars camp

FRISCO, TX- Jason Robertson will not report to Dallas Stars training camp, which opens Thursday, as he is out of contract.

« He’s disappointed not to be at camp, and so are we, » Stars general manager Jim Nill said Wednesday. (The camp) is very important for a young player and a new coaching staff. We’ll have to take care of what’s going on here, and we hope he joins us as soon as possible. »

TO READ : Summary of camps: September 21 | Ten questions on the eve of training camps

Nill said the two sides have been in constant talks to find common ground for a new contract for the 23-year-old forward, who is a restricted free agent. Robertson finished first on the Stars last year with 41 goals and second in points with 79 last season.

« Negotiations have been going on for a few weeks, but unfortunately he won’t be here, » Nill said. We are open [à un contrat de transition ou à long terme], but otherwise I don’t want to say anything else. I will not negotiate through the media. The talks are going well.

“It’s hard for any player to miss camp, so hopefully he’ll be here soon. »

Head coach Peter DeBoer, who was hired June 21 to replace Rick Bowness, said Robertson’s absence will not affect his plans to prepare the team for the season.

“I wake up at night looking forward to coaching a player like Jason Robertson, a 40+ goal scorer, but he’s not. Until then, I can’t lose energy with this,” DeBoer recalled.

Drafted 39th overall in 2017, Robertson had 125 points (58 goals, 67 assists) in 128 regular season games and four points (one goal, three assists) in seven playoff games.

Video: DAL@CGY, #5: Robertson breaks the tie in the 2nd period

The goalkeeper Jake Oettingerwho was a restricted free agent, signed a three-year, $12 million ($4 million per year) contract on Sept. 1.

« When you know [Jake], you know what kind of person he is, Nill said. He’s a guy with a lot of character. He’s the first guy on the ice and the last to come out. He works hard, he is committed to the sport and he plays for his teammates. We can’t wait to see what he can do. »

The Stars (46-30-6) finished last season as the No. 4 ace in the Eastern Conference before losing in seven games to the Calgary Flames in the opening round.

« I’m really looking forward to this training camp, » Nill said. With new coaches, it’s a new start for many players. When I look at the future of this organization, we have a core that has been here for five to ten years and we have had the arrival of several young people – the Jake Oettingers, Roope Hintz, Jacob Petterson. Suddenly, there is another wave of young people knocking on the door. We are happy to have such depth, new faces growing, and the door is open for anyone who wants to take advantage of it. »