Stars add Bunting from Predators for 3rd-round pick

The Dallas Stars acquired forward Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators for a third-round pick, the teams announced Thursday.

The draft selection originally belonged to the Seattle Kraken, who traded it to Dallas earlier this season for Mason Marchment.

Bunting has notched 31 points in 61 games this season and is a pending unrestricted free agent. His cap hit is $4.5 million.

The Stars are on a 10-game win streak and have been aggressive leading up to Friday's trade deadline. They gained cap space by placing Tyler Seguin on long-term injured reserve for the rest of the season and playoffs.

Dallas added defensive depth Wednesday by acquiring Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks.

The Predators are five points back of a playoff spot and already traded Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild. Nashville is on track to miss the postseason for the second year in a row after reshaping its core in 2024 by signing Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in free agency.

General manager Barry Trotz recently announced his plans to step down from the role once the Predators find a successor.