McKinney, Texas — The Dallas Stars entered NHL free agency Tuesday in cost-cutting mode, trading Mavrik Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin to Nashville to free cap space for what the franchise hopes will be a long-term extension with Jason Robertson.
The trade returned a second-round and a third-round pick to Dallas. In a smaller move, the team also re-signed Joel Kiviranta — a versatile depth forward — to a one-year contract at $1 million, maintaining a familiar face in the lineup at a manageable cap hit.
Robertson, a restricted free agent, is reportedly asking for $12 to $15 million per season on a multi-year deal. That figure shaped every move the Stars made on Day 1. Captain Jamie Benn also reached the unrestricted market, though indicators throughout the organization suggest he will ultimately return.
