Nill on Robertson contract talks, Stars offseason, the future and more

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Jim Nill is starting his 10th season as Stars general manager, and just signed a
one-year contract extension
that takes him through the 2023-24 season.
The 64-year-old is a former player who served as a scout in Ottawa and Detroit, and he's been in a front-office role with Detroit and Dallas for almost three decades. Nill helped the Stars go through a transition this offseason as he hired Pete DeBoer as head coach and bid adieu to some veteran players. He is now trying to help the Stars transition to a younger lineup and a new coaching staff and said he is excited about that process.
DallasStars.com's Mike Heika talked to him before the first game at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan Thursday:

Can you update us on the Jason Robertson contract negotiations?
Jim Nill: There's no update at this time. We're working on it.
I know fans are getting nervous, do you feel the pressure of the deadline?
JN:I know they get antsy, but I've been through it before. It's not the first and it won't be the last and you just have to be patient. It's a process and there is time.
Can you talk about the parameters of a short-term deal vs. a long-term deal? If you might have to trade salary?
JN: I know people are trying to figure all of the angles out, but there are a lot of things to consider and we're considering everything. There are so many variables, and I can't really discuss them.
How do you feel about what the team has done so far in the summer?
JN:It's really exciting, because we are heading into I think what's a bit of a new era. We have a veteran core that's still here and still leading the way, but we also have a younger core moving in. When you look at (Roope) Hintz and (Jason) Robertson and (Jake) Oettinger and Miro (Heiskanen), that's a really good group. So we have a solid established group, a young core coming in, and another young core that's not far away. We're excited. Will there be some inconsistencies or some transition time? Who knows. You don't go from here to there without some adjustments, but that's part of the process. That's what excites us, to go through that growth.
The coaching staff has a history of improving puck possession on previous teams. How do you look at that with this group and could it improve the scoring for certain individuals and for the team as a whole?
JN: That's what we were looking at when we hired them. I've known all three for many years, and I know they're good coaches. We asked Pete (DeBoer) to evaluate our team and see what he could improve and he came back with some great ideas. Now, we have to go out and put that into action on the ice.
As we're at this tournament, what can you see in the new group?
JN: We've been very fortunate, because there usually is a big dig at times in your group. But we look at adding the Robertson's the Hintz's the Oettinger's and then we look at this next group that's right behind them. I give credit to our scouting staff because they've been able to find these players. Even guys like Thomas Harley and Ty Dellandrea, they're good players and they're just getting started. That's a good feeling.
How important is this time for players like Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque among others?
JN: It's important. We've got a big month coming up. We think we know where these players are at from what we've seen, but this is important competition and it affects how players develop. Last year, we had players take big strides throughout the year, and that really changed where they were, so now you have to put them in tough situations and see how they respond. A lot of these players went through Covid and didn't play hockey, so they are still adjusting to that. Some did, some didn't, and now we get to see how that affects them. It's exciting, really, because you do want to see what they do as they take these steps.
Is part of the plan that the competition should be great, and that could help push them to get better?
JN: We purposely decided to leave opening to give them a chance to succeed. I could have gone and signed a few more veterans for $750,000, but we have a bunch of players where this is their time. They have paid their dues, they've developed at the right pace, and it's time for them. That's the intrigue of this season. In the past we knew who the 11, 12, 13th forward was, but that's wide open this year, and it make it fun to watch.
Because of the NHL's relationship with the CHL, both Johnston and Stankoven have to play in the NHL or go back to Major Junior. Could they both make the NHL this year or is that putting too much pressure on everyone to make that commitment?
JN:They could definitely both make it, but they have to really earn it. They can't be sitting in the pressbox. They have to be playing night after night. It is a process. There are special players like Miro Heiskanen who can step right in, but most have to go through the process. So, we have to give then that opportunity and then evaluate on how they perform. We're going to see.
How do you look at the need for more goals and how do you address it?
JN: Every team in the league wants more goals, and we're no different. It's on everybody, really. The coaches, the players, they have to work together. We (front office) need to find players who have skill. It's a team effort.
You just signed a one-year contract extension, and that team concept has always been at the core of your philosophy. How do you feel about where the team is right now?
JN: I think that's the best way to solve problems or to build together, and I think we do have that. I do feel we're all working together. Tom (Gaglardi) and I had a lot of discussions on how we would move forward on my contract and we felt this was the best way to go. There are some good things happening here, and I really like the foundation and the age of each tier and feel we could be in good shape for years to come.
Do you look at the transition to a potentially different front office and your role in it, or do you just take it one year at a time?
JN:A manager's job is to look at today, tomorrow and five years ago, so you're looking at everything. I'm excited for right now, and that's my main focus, but we're always having discussions. Tom and I have a very healthy relationship, and we talk about everything.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.