ThePredatorssent a 2027 second-round pick and Vegas' 2028 third-round pick to the Stars in the trade. Nashville also acquired defensemanIlya Lyubushkinin the deal. The third-round pick was originally acquired by Nashville in theCole Smithtrade on March 3.
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Bourque, 24, scored 20 goals and 21 assists in 82 games last season. A first-round draft pick (No. 30 overall) in 2020, Bourque is a restricted free agent and is owed a contract for the 2026-27 season. The Predators will now have exclusive rights to negotiate that contract.
At 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, Bourque is a skilled forward with excellent vision in all three zones. He developed nicely into a top-six player for the Stars last season and was expected to make a leap in production in the 2026-27 season.
By acquiring Bourque, the Predators steal away a good young center from a Central Division rival. MacFarland took advantage of the Stars' contract stalemate with forwardJason Robertson— a shrewd bit of business from the Predators' new president of hockey operations.
Chris MacFarland speaks after being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators as owner Bill Haslam listens during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predator President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland speaks during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
Chris MacFarland speaks after being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators as CEO Sean Henry and owner Bill Haslam listen during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
Chris MacFarland speaks after being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predator President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland speaks during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators Philip Forsberg and Nick Hague listen to Chris MacFarland speak after he was introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
Chris MacFarland shakes hands with CEO Sean Henry as owner Bill Haslam presents him with jersey while being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Chris MacFarland speaks after being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators as owner Bill Haslam listens during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Chris MacFarland speaks after being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators as owner Bill Haslam listens during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
2/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Nashville Predator President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland speaks during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
3/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Chris MacFarland speaks after being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators as CEO Sean Henry and owner Bill Haslam listen during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
4/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Chris MacFarland speaks after being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
5/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Nashville Predator President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland speaks during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
6/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Nashville Predators Philip Forsberg and Nick Hague listen to Chris MacFarland speak after he was introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
7/7
Chris MacFarland, new Nashville Predators general manager, introduced
Chris MacFarland shakes hands with CEO Sean Henry as owner Bill Haslam presents him with jersey while being introduced as the new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators during a news conference at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
Lyubushkin, 32, played 53 games for the Stars last season, scoring one goal and eight assists. He is owed $3.2 million for the 2026-27 season, after which he will become a free agent.
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Lyubushkin is a 6-2, 206-pound, right-handed defenseman who played mostly on the Stars' second pairing withEsa Lindell. He's played for five NHL teams since going undrafted in 2012.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter,@alexdaugherty1.Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page@tennessean_preds.
