--- title: "Stars Ship Bourque, Lyubushkin to Preds for Picks" description: "Dallas clears cap space by sending Bourque and Lyubushkin to Nashville for 2027 and 2028 draft picks." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/stars-trade-rfa-mavrik-bourque-to-the-predators-for-future-p-b61048ae published: 2026-07-03T11:27:57.661+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T11:27:57.661+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Stars Ship Bourque, Lyubushkin to Preds for Picks > Dallas clears cap space by sending Bourque and Lyubushkin to Nashville for 2027 and 2028 draft picks. The Dallas Stars have officially kicked off the NHL offseason with a significant roster shake-up, trading restricted free agent Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators in exchange for future draft capital. This transaction serves as the first major blockbuster of the summer, fundamentally altering the asset management strategies for both Central Division rivals. Dallas acquires a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round selection in the deal, prioritizing long-term flexibility over immediate roster depth. By moving Bourque and Lyubushkin, the Stars successfully clear valuable cap space, positioning themselves to maneuver more freely in a crowded free agency market. The decision to part with a young forward like Bourque indicates a strict adherence to financial efficiency, ensuring the team retains the ability to lock up core pieces or pursue other targets without the constraints of a bloated payroll. Nashville, conversely, leverages its available cap space to absorb contracts and acquire talent. The Predators add Bourque, a restricted free agent with significant offensive upside, giving them a cost-controlled asset to develop within their system. Lyubushkin brings a veteran, physical presence to the blue line, offering immediate stability and grit. This move signals Nashville's intent to compete now, using their financial health to take advantage of teams needing to shed salary. The trade highlights a distinct philosophical divide between the two franchises. Dallas is clearly in a mode of consolidation and asset accumulation, stockpiling picks for the 2027 and 2028 drafts. Nashville is aggressively buying low on talent, gambling that Bourque’s potential translates to the NHL level while utilizing Lyubushkin to shore up their defensive corps. It is a classic example of a large-market team managing the salary cap against a team looking to accelerate its rebuild or retool on the fly. While specific comments from general managers Jim Nill and Barry Trotz were not part of the initial announcement, the subtext of the trade is undeniable. Dallas is betting on the value of liquid assets in the form of draft picks, while Nashville is betting on the human capital of the players acquired. The Predators' willingness to take on Bourque's RFA negotiation rights suggests they see a higher ceiling than Dallas was willing to pay for, or perhaps they simply had the room to absorb the risk. What's next: The Stars will likely look to utilize their newly created cap space to address other roster needs or re-sign their own pending free agents before the market opens. The Predators must now focus on signing Bourque to a new contract and determining how Lyubushkin fits into their defensive pairings. Both teams will remain active as the NHL Draft and free agency approach, with Dallas holding extra cards in the form of the acquired future selections. ## Why this matters This trade is a masterclass in asset management and cap gymnastics, illustrating how teams with different financial realities can find mutual benefit. For Dallas, it is a necessary reset to ensure long-term fiscal health, sacrificing youth for draft capital. For Nashville, it is an opportunistic play to add a high-upside forward in Bourque without surrendering established NHL roster players. The deal sets the tone for the offseason, proving that draft capital remains the most valuable currency for teams looking to reshape their rosters aggressively. ## Frequently asked ### What did the Stars receive in return? Dallas acquired a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick from Nashville. These picks provide future assets and flexibility rather than immediate roster help. ### Why did Dallas trade Mavrik Bourque? The move was primarily driven by the need to clear cap space. Dallas prioritized financial flexibility and future draft capital over retaining the restricted free agent, likely due to other roster constraints. ### What does Nashville gain from this trade? Nashville adds youth and flexibility by acquiring Bourque, an RFA with offensive potential, and Lyubushkin, a veteran defenseman. They use their cap space to take on contracts Dallas needed to move. ### When do the draft picks convey? The draft picks are scheduled for the 2027 and 2028 NHL Entry Drafts. This allows Dallas to stockpile assets for future years while Nashville focuses on the present. ## Sources & Citations - [Stars trade RFA Mavrik Bourque to the Predators for future picks](https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/49237488/stars-traded-rfa-mavrik-bourque-predators-future-picks) — ESPN (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Stars Ship Bourque, Lyubushkin to Preds for Picks. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/stars-trade-rfa-mavrik-bourque-to-the-predators-for-future-p-b61048ae