Dallas Stars Trade Ilya Lyubushkin to Make Room for Jason Robertson

The Dallas Stars have a pressing issue to address with Jason Robertson's contract extension looming. Jason Robertson, the team's leading goal scorer and a pending restricted free agent, needs a new deal this summer. His contract is expected to cost over $12 million per year, similar to Mikko Rantanen's recent extension. But with only $10.14 million in salary cap space for the 2026-27 season, General Manager Jim Nill must clear money to fit Robertson's salary under the cap. Trading defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin seems like the easiest move, as his regular-season appearances dropped from 80 games in his first year with the Stars to just 53 games last season. And paying $3.25 million for a limited, depth role is no longer justifiable. Lyubushkin is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed in 2024. The Stars can afford to lose him because they still have Miro Heiskanen, Nils Lundkvist, and Thomas Harley on defense. If Dallas needs extra depth, they can re-sign Alexander Petrovic for a much lower price. According to Frank Seravalli of Frankly Hockey, the Stars are actively shopping Lyubushkin. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period mentioned earlier this offseason that Dallas tried to clear salary near the trade deadline and would likely look to move Lyubushkin. The 2026 NHL Draft takes place on June 26–27, giving Jim Nill's a small window to clear salary cap space. So the Stars' GM must act quickly to make room for Robertson's new contract. With Lyubushkin's contract set to expire after next season, the Stars have a chance to re-sign other key players. But for now, the focus is on clearing cap space to secure Robertson's future with the team. The Stars' defense is still strong, even without Lyubushkin, and they can use the extra cap space to make other moves in the offseason.