Dallas Stars Land Forward Michael Bunting from Nashville in Trade Deal

The Dallas Stars have acquired veteran forward Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick. The 30-year-old brings 31 points this season to a Stars team currently on a franchise-record 10-game winning streak.

The Dallas Stars bolstered their lineup for a playoff push on Thursday by obtaining veteran forward Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 30-year-old Bunting contributes both scoring punch and physical play to a Dallas squad that’s already performing exceptionally well. This season, he’s tallied 31 points through 61 games, recording 13 goals and 18 assists. He’s playing out the final season of his current deal and will become an unrestricted free agent following the postseason.

Stars general manager Jim Nill praised the acquisition, stating: “Michael is a tremendous addition to our roster. His goal-scoring ability mixed with physicality makes him extremely tough to play against. We are looking forward to seeing him on the ice in Dallas.”

The draft selection Nashville obtained originally came from the Seattle Kraken and was previously acquired by Dallas in the Mason Marchment transaction.

Dallas executed this deal while riding a franchise-record 10-game winning streak, currently holding second place in the Central Division while pursuing the Colorado Avalanche for the top spot in the Western Conference standings. This marks the Stars’ second transaction in consecutive days, following Wednesday’s acquisition of defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks.

Bunting will now suit up for his sixth NHL organization, having previously played for the Arizona Coyotes (2018-2021), Toronto Maple Leafs (2021-2023), Carolina Hurricanes (2023-2024), Pittsburgh Penguins (2024-2025), and the Predators. Throughout his 405-game NHL career, he’s accumulated 108 goals and 142 assists.

The move represents another indication that Nashville is focusing on accumulating draft assets rather than attempting a late-season playoff surge. The Predators currently trail the Western Conference’s final playoff position by five points and have recently moved several roster players, including Cole Smith, Michael McCarron, and Nick Blankenburg.