After re-signing Matt Duchene to a four-year, $18 million contract with a $4.5 million annual cap hit, the Dallas Stars are indeed in a tight salary cap situation. According to PuckPedia, the team has just $455,084 in projected cap space for the 2025-26 season, with only 16 players signed (eight forwards, six defensemen, and two goaltenders).
The Stars face challenges with several pending unrestricted free agents (UFA’s), including Jamie Benn, Mikael Granlund, Evgenii Dadonov, Colin Blackwell, Brendan Smith, and Cody Ceci, as well as restricted free agents (RFA’s) like Mavrik Bourque and Nils Lundkvist. To create cap space, they may need to make significant moves, such as trading players like Matt Dumba ($3.75M), or Ilya Lyubushkin ($4M). There’s also rumors of exploring trades involving Jason Robertson ($7.55M), while the team sent Mason Marchment packing.
This Is a perfect time for Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere to strike the iron while it’s hot, with the Stars. The Flyers are in a strong position to make significant moves at the 2025 NHL Draft, with seven picks in the first two rounds, including three first-rounders (No. 6, No. 23, and No. 32). Recent reports suggest Brière is open to leveraging this draft capital for trades to accelerate the Flyers’ rebuild, particularly to address roster needs like a top-six center or high-impact players. The hiring of Rick Tocchet as Head Coach and Todd Reirden as an Assistant to bolster the defense signals a shift toward competitiveness, making now a strategic time for bold action.
The Dallas Stars, coming off a strong 2024-25 season but facing salary cap constraints, could be a trade partner. Sources indicate Dallas may look to move players like Jason Robertson, a 25-year-old star winger with one year left on his deal. Robertson’s scoring prowess (80+ points in recent seasons) would complement the Flyers’ young core, including Matvei Michkov, and fit their timeline for contending. A trade package could involve one or more of the Flyers’ first-round picks, possibly combined with a prospects, and l roster players, though Brière has emphasized any move must align with the long-term vision.
However, there’s no direct evidence of active trade talks between the Flyers and Stars as of June 20, 2025. Brière has noted that trade discussions typically heat up closer to the draft (June 27-28), with Monday and Tuesday expected to be pivotal. The Stars’ cap situation and the Flyers’ draft ammunition create a window for negotiation, but Brière’s “poker face” approach suggests he’s cautious, avoiding lowball offers and prioritizing deals that enhance the roster now and later. If targeting Robertson, the Flyers would need to navigate his likely high trade cost and extension demands, while a player like Bourque might be a cheaper, long-term acquisition.
Briere could get spicy, and throw an offer sheet for Bourque. In turn, the offer sheet could very well handcuff, the cap strained Stars.
Given the Flyers’ recent coaching hires, including Reirden to strengthen the defense alongside Tocchet and Assistants like Jay Varady. Brière is well-positioned to strike if the Stars signal openness to a deal. Fans should watch for updates early next week as trade buzz intensifies.
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I think the Flyers picks are at 22 & 31. Could at least get the facts straight.