Stars invest $2.2M in Bourque and Lundkvist extensions, leave veteran Benn’s status in limbo

Mavrik Bourque proved he’s ready for more ice time with the Dallas Stars, and now he has one more year to show his vision and hockey IQ. With Bourque’s extension, the Stars have secured another young talent, Nils Lundkvist, to a one-year contract extension Friday.

At 23, forward Mavrik Bourque signed a one-year deal worth $950,000. In his rookie season, he posted 11 goals and 14 assists (25 points) over 73 games, marking career highs across the board.

General manager Jim Nill praised his vision and hockey IQ, calling him “a dynamic and highly skilled player” whose playmaking elevates the team.


Bourque was drafted 30th overall in 2020. He split time between the AHL’s Texas Stars and the NHL in recent seasons. In 2023-24, he led the AHL with 77 points in 71 games, earning league MVP honors.

The Stars also retained defenseman Nils Lundkvist on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million.

At 24, Lundkvist recorded five assists and a +4 rating in 39 games last season. Nill highlighted his puck-moving ability and hockey sense, noting they enhance both offense and defense.

Since joining Dallas via trade from the New York Rangers in 2022, he has totaled 44 points in 183 NHL games.

These short-term deals follow the Stars’ signing of Matt Duchene to a four-year extension and a trade sending Mason Marchment to Seattle. These moves left Dallas with under $500,000 in cap space before Friday’s signings.

After adding Bourque and Lundkvist, the team retains about $2.76 million in cap space with 18 players under contract for next season.

Analysts see these one-year deals as low-risk, high-reward. Dallas hopes Bourque continues his upward trajectory and that Lundkvist builds on his steady development.

After Friday’s announcement, Captain Jamie Benn is the most notable unrestricted free agent for the Stars, alongside Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund, Colin Blackwell, Cody Ceci, and Brendan Smith, all of whom are set to enter the open market. It will be interesting to see if the Stars are going to re-sign Benn.