Dallas, Texas — The Dallas Stars opened NHL free agency Tuesday by trading forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to Nashville, clearing salary-cap space as the franchise works to re-sign restricted free agent Jason Robertson.
The deal sent Bourque and Lyubushkin to the Predators in exchange for second- and third-round draft picks. Dallas also re-signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year, $1 million contract on Day 1.
General manager Jim Nill said re-signing Robertson remains the organization's top priority, with the star winger reportedly seeking a long-term deal at roughly $12 to $15 million annually. Captain Jamie Benn reached unrestricted free agency, though a return to Dallas has been widely expected.
