The Nashville Predators acquire forward Mavrik Bourque from the Dallas Stars as part of a trade completed July 1 and then sign Bourque to a six-year contract worth $33 million. Multiple reports say the move gives Nashville an early boost ahead of the start of the free-agency period, in a market described as having fewer impactful available players. In the trade, Nashville also receives defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from Dallas. In return, the Predators send draft picks to the Stars, including a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick. The reporting characterizes Bourque as a young offensive option and Lyubushkin as a more established veteran presence, while noting that Nashville’s acquisition requires surrendering future draft capital. The contracts and player movement are presented as part of Nashville’s roster-building approach for the coming NHL seasons, using trades rather than waiting for the free-agent market.