Predators Trade Bunting to Stars for 3rd-Round Pick

Nashville receives selection in 2026 Draft for forward

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Nashville Predators have traded forward Michael Bunting to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Bunting, 30, has 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 61 games for the Predators this season and is in the final year of his contract.

Why it matters

The trade gives the Stars, who are second in the Central Division, a veteran forward as they push for the playoffs, while the Predators continue to retool their roster by acquiring draft capital.

The details

Bunting, who was originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2014, has 250 points (108 goals, 142 assists) in 405 regular-season games for five different NHL teams. The Stars have won a franchise-best 10 games in a row and are six points behind the Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division. The Predators are fifth in the division and five points behind the Seattle Kraken for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.

  • The trade was completed on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Michael Bunting

A 30-year-old forward who has played for five different NHL teams and has 31 points in 61 games for the Predators this season.

Dallas Stars

An NHL team that is second in the Central Division and has won a franchise-best 10 games in a row.

Nashville Predators

An NHL team that is fifth in the Central Division and five points behind the Seattle Kraken for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.

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The takeaway

This trade provides the Stars with a veteran forward as they make a push for the playoffs, while the Predators continue to retool their roster by acquiring additional draft capital.