Before Thursday evening’s trade of Mason Marchment, the Stars had $455K in cap space. Getting up from under the $4.5 million hit of Marchment makes that a much better number. However, they need to clear more space.
The Stars have five free agent forwards and three on defense. Two fall under the restricted free agent category, while only one is arbitration eligible. Both could be tagged with an offer sheet, though.
Dallas also has a few players who could be moved to clear space. Marchment was one candidate, but he’s not the only one. Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin‘s names have been floated around.
But they aren’t the only options. The Flyers should jump on the chance to grab a talented player from the Stars’ roster.
Jason Robertson would be a dream trade
Rumors have floated about the Stars looking into a potential Jason Robertson trade. Robertson is making $7.75 million next season and will easily command double digits on his new contract. He has hit 80 points in back-to-back seasons and had a 109-point campaign in 2022-23.
Robertson has not missed a game in three straight seasons, though had a slow start this year because of injury. He’s a power play producer, a much needed asset for the Flyers. Robertson has 109 points on the man advantage in the last four seasons combined. He just missed out on 20+ in each season after posting 19 power play points this season.
Considering they need to clear cap, the Stars aren’t going to want much term back in a deal if they were to pull the trigger. The Flyers most likely will want to keep the sixth overall selection off limits. They have the 22nd and 31st picks that could be flipped, as well as one or two of the four second round picks they own. They could even dip into the 2027 picks where they own two first rounders. For the record, Dallas does not own a first round pick this year or next. They don’t have a second rounder this year either.
If Dallas wants a roster player in return, it’s going to have to be someone cheap, but with potential. Bobby Brink is an option, making $1.5 million next season. He’ll be an RFA and arbitration eligible. Could Dallas look at a rising prospect to develop like Jett Luchanko? Sometimes you have to give to get.
It feels unlikely that a Robertson trade comes to fruition or that the Flyers would be a preferred destination. Robertson does not have trade protection, though. But, there’s a more likely scenario the Flyers could try.
Mavrik Bourque is the more realistic option
With Jamie Benn likely one of the next to re-sign, restricted free agent Mavrik Bourque could become a roster casualty. He produced in the AHL, posting 26 goals and 77 points in 2023-24, the latter leading the league. But the 2020 first-round pick hasn’t been able to break through on a rather deep Stars’ roster.
In mostly third line minutes, he had 11 goals and 25 points in 73 games during his rookie season, which aren’t bad numbers. He was scratched for most of the postseason. With his strong AHL campaign, it would’ve made sense to try Bourque higher up in the lineup. There’s plenty of room to grow for the 23-year-old.
The trade of Marchment might make it easier for Dallas to keep Bourque. And throwing a few million dollars at a player with 25 career points could be too rich for Briere. But Dylan Holloway had 18 career points in two seasons with Edmonton, signed the offer sheet with the Blues and exploded for 63 points last season.
Could Bourque sign in the $2,340,038 - $4,680,076 threshold? You’d probably have to go closer to the $4 million range to ensure Dallas doesn’t match. Philadelphia would only have to give up a 2026 second round pick, though they only have one that year.
Sometimes you have to take the risk to reap the rewards.