Predators Boost Roster
Dallas Stars Trade Emerging Prospect Mavrik Bourque, Veteran Ilya Lyubushkin to Nashville Predators
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Key Points
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Bourque was coming off a one-year, $950,000 contract, highlighting his relatively modest cap hit and the potential leverage Nashville has in negotiating an extension.
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In his NHL career, Bourque has 66 points (31 goals, 35 assists) in 156 regular-season games, plus 1 goal in 10 playoff games, providing a broader context for his track record beyond last season’s 41-point swing.
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Lyubushkin is under one season remaining on a three-year, $9.75 million contract with Dallas, at an average annual value of $3.25 million, underscoring the cost-control considerations for Nashville’s back end.
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The 2028 third-round pick Nashville received originally belonged to the Vegas Golden Knights, illustrating the Vegas-linked nature of the pick involved in the deal.
The Dallas Stars traded forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2026, in exchange for Nashville's 2027 second-round pick and Vegas's 2028 third-round pick, according to NHL.com. The move came in the opening hours of NHL free agency, as Dallas cleared roughly $4.2 million in cap space to pursue a massive extension for RFA superstar Jason Robertson.
Bourque, 24, had just finished his first full 82-game NHL season, posting 41 points on 20 goals and 21 assists. He was entering restricted free agency — meaning Dallas still controlled his rights — but the threat of a rival offer sheet forced the Stars' hand, Dallas Morning News reported.
Jason Robertson Extension Forced Dallas to Act Fast
The trade was driven by Dallas's urgent need to free up cap room. Robertson, one of the Stars' top forwards, is seeking upwards of $12 million per season on a new deal, according to The Hockey News. To get there, Dallas needed to move salary fast. Bourque's $950,000 contract and Lyubushkin's $3.25 million cap hit were the easiest pieces to shed.
Dallas GM Jim Nill confirmed the deal July 1. Team sources told Associated Press the move was a deliberate cap-clearing decision, not a reflection of Bourque's ability. By moving both players, the Stars cleared enough room to bring their total available cap space to roughly $12.5 million — enough to lock up Robertson long-term.
Philadelphia's Offer Sheet Threat Pushed Nashville to Move
Bourque was one of the most coveted restricted free agents on the market. The Philadelphia Flyers, led by GM Daniel Brière, were internally debating a $7 million-per-season offer sheet for Bourque, according to Heavy.com. An offer sheet at that level would have cost Dallas significant draft picks if they chose to match — or surrendered Bourque for nothing if they didn't.
Nashville moved quickly to avoid that scenario. By trading for Bourque rather than submitting an offer sheet, the Predators skipped the compensation process and secured his rights directly. Sportsnet reported that Nashville was already in active extension talks with Bourque by 11:03 AM CDT — just over three hours after the trade was first reported.
Nashville Lands a Proven Scorer at a Bargain Price
Bourque arrives in Nashville with 66 career points — 31 goals and 35 assists — in 156 regular-season games, per NHL.com. He also won AHL MVP honors in 2023-24, posting 26 goals and 77 points in 71 games with the Texas Stars. Nashville GM Chris MacFarland called him "a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here."
Lyubushkin adds a physical presence on the blue line. The 32-year-old has played 486 career regular-season games and brings veteran stability to Nashville's defense, per Elite Prospects. He has one year left on his contract at $3.25 million per season — a manageable cost for a team looking to shore up its penalty kill.
Dallas Gets Picks Back, Nashville Wins the Offseason Opening
In return, Dallas gets a 2027 second-round pick from Nashville and a 2028 third-round pick that originally belonged to the Vegas Golden Knights, according to NHL.com. The picks help replenish Dallas's draft cupboard after a busy 2025 playoff run. Analysts at Pro Hockey Rumors called the deal "cap weaponization at its finest," praising Nashville for exploiting Dallas's financial squeeze.
National outlets, including the Associated Press, used the trade as a prime example of a "weak UFA market" forcing teams to chase deals instead of free agents. For Nashville, the price — two mid-round picks — looks like a bargain for a 24-year-old with top-six upside and team control through 2029.
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