Dallas Stars RFA Forward Traded to Nashville Predators

The Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators taken care of a key piece of business at the start of free agency. News emerged that the Stars and Predators have agreed to the Mavrik Bourque trade with the restricted free agent forward. Nashville will also get Ilya Lyubushkin while Dallas receives a second and a third-round draft pick. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman broke news of the deal on Wednesday.

The Stars announce they have traded forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to Nashville for a 2027 second-round pick and 2028 third-round pick.

— Lia Assimakopoulos (@lassimak.bsky.social) 2026-07-01T15:12:26.000Z

Mavrik Bourque Trade Completed Between Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators

Bourque has only played for the Dallas Stars in parts of three NHL seasons. The 24-year-old had career-highs in goals (20), assists (21), and points (41) for the Stars in 82 games. He logged a career-best in ice time an average of 15 minutes, 29 seconds, which over a minute from his career average. The Plessisville, Quebec native had a relative Corsi of 53.1 and a relative Corsi of 5.8.

Bourque has 31 goals and 35 assists for 66 points in 156 career games. Dallas originally drafted him in the first round. 30th overall of the 2020 NHL Draft. He played his major junior career with the Shawinigan Cataractes of QMJHL.

The 24-year-old forward was a standout with the Texas Stars of the AHL. He won the Les Cunningham Award and John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the AHL’s “Most Valuable Player” and top scorer.

Lyubushkin has played for the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim Ducks over his eight-year NHL career. He has seven goals and 63 assists in 486 career games.

Manny Flores/Cal Sport Media

What It Means

Dallas and general manager Jim Nill have drafted well in recent season. That draft success has caused some tough decisions from the club and this one another one. New Predators GM Chris MacFarland will now have to find a deal for the young pivot.

The Predators have been doing a quick makeover since MacFarland took over duties from Barry Trotz. Nashville is working hard to get some young talent onto the ice and the Preds have taken advantage of the Stars having to make some tough decisions.

Main photo by: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images