Teams face offseason contract hurdles

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill confirmed that signing winger Jason Robertson to a long-term contract remains a priority after a one-year deal was reached amid a contentious negotiation. Robertson, a restricted free agent after a standout season with 96 points, agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract to avoid arbitration.

Nill expressed hopes that Robertson, who tied for the team lead with 45 goals, would eventually retire as a Star. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers are grappling with their own contract efficiency issues, ranking 20th in Dom Luszczyszyn's annual assessment, an improvement from last year's 26th place.

The Flyers have made multiple contract extensions recently, including Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny, but struggle to secure team-friendly deals. While players like Noah Cates have shown value with a cap hit of $4 million, others like Konecny and Sean Couturier are seen as less favorable due to higher cap hits that extend well into their later career years.

The Flyers' attempt to build a competitive roster remains hindered by a lack of star power and efficient contracts, leaving them with challenges in their ongoing rebuild.