Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill says team won't make big moves at NHL Trade Deadline

Salary cap constraints and upcoming contract extensions for key players limit Stars' ability to add significant pieces.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:39pm

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Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill has stated that the team will not be making any major splashes at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Nill cited salary cap concerns, with the team needing to re-sign star forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley to big contract extensions in the offseason. The Stars' current cap situation, along with the long-term deals for players like Mikko Rantanen, make it difficult for the team to take on additional significant salaries via trades.

Why it matters

The Stars are considered a top contender in the Western Conference and have their sights set on a deep playoff run and potential Stanley Cup championship. However, their financial constraints may limit their ability to add that "one more piece" that could put them over the top, potentially impacting their chances of winning it all this season.

The details

The Stars acquired Rantanen in a trade last year, but Nill said the team won't be making a similar big move this deadline. Rantanen's $12 million per year contract, along with Miro Heiskanen's $8.45 million deal, have the Stars tight against the salary cap. Nill also noted that pending restricted free agent Robertson is in line for a significant pay raise, while defenseman Thomas Harley is jumping from a $4 million contract to $10.5 million next season. These upcoming extensions leave little room for the Stars to take on additional long-term salary via trades.

  • The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is on March 3, 2026.

The players

Jim Nill

The general manager of the Dallas Stars.

Jason Robertson

A star forward for the Dallas Stars who is a pending restricted free agent.

Thomas Harley

A defenseman for the Dallas Stars who is set to receive a significant pay raise from $4 million to $10.5 million next season.

Mikko Rantanen

A right winger for the Dallas Stars who has the team's most expensive contract at $12 million per year over 8 years.

Miro Heiskanen

A defenseman for the Dallas Stars who has a $8.45 million contract for 3 more years.

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What they’re saying

“I don't see us doing a big splash. First of all, the salary cap still comes into play more than ever, not only for this year, but for next year. I've got some very good players, and very good players eventually make big money.”

— Jim Nill, General Manager

“We got Thomas Harley just re-signed; he's jumping up next year from making $4 million to making $10.5 million. I've got Jason Robertson as a pending restricted free agent; he's going to get a big pay hike. So, I've got to manage that for next year also. Can I take on a guy that's signed for three more years at $5 million each? I don't have the cap space for that. Every team has different situations they're going to look at short term and long term.”

— Jim Nill, General Manager

What’s next

The Stars will need to focus on re-signing Jason Robertson and managing their salary cap situation in the offseason in order to position the team for a deep playoff run next season.

The takeaway

The Dallas Stars' salary cap constraints and upcoming contract extensions for key players like Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley will limit their ability to make significant additions at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, despite being a top contender in the Western Conference. This highlights the challenges even the best teams face in navigating the salary cap landscape in the NHL.