Stars Stuff: Trading Marchment, signing Bourque and Lundkvist, "new" info on the Robertson discourse, and Mitch Marner

Anything else?

Last week I wrote about Jason Robertson at D Magazine. If you haven’t checked it out, I recommend doing so. Everyone’s writing improves with an editor.

Since then Pierre LeBrun threw out a tidbit that warrants a quote (emphasis mine).

The market interest is already pretty robust for Robertson, as it should be. Either way, though, I don’t see a quick resolution in the coming week or two. This is a slow-play situation where he’s either extended by the end of the summer or traded in August.

Thankfully my article didn’t immediately age like milk the second it was published like last time. That’s a relief I guess.

For the most part, I thought my thesis was pretty clear. When you look at who Robertson compares to, and what players his age tend to become, we are talking about the best of the best. When looking at his playoff production, on the other hand — let’s just say it opens up various questions.

What I find fascinating about the discourse is people’s evaluation of him. This is not directed at anyone specifically, and certainly not at Bob Sturm, who wrote a really thoughtful reflection on the discourse. But I wonder — just a bit — how people would view Robertson if he had the aesthetic of an elite player. Robertson doesn’t look anything like Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, or Kirill Kaprizov. Because he can look a little clunky on ice, does that influence how people view him? Does his game feel more replaceable because his athleticism looks replaceable?

Bob brought up a really important point. It’s one I agree with, though not without reservation. For the past two seasons, Robertson has graded out as a Selke-level defender. Is he really that, despite what the stats show? I don’t think so. This is true even when looking at his tracking data from his first couple of seasons. His defensive zone movement was non-existent. Until it wasn’t. But is that because he’s not what we think he is, or is it because the aesthetic doesn’t match — because his ability to defend, and keep shots-against down for Dallas when he’s on the ice, simply looks different than what we’re used to? Could the numbers be a flashlight for where we’ve failed to look?

I don’t know. I certainly have Thoughts. A Robertson trade could make a lot of sense. I outlined them as awkwardly as I could here. It’s also possible that the money makes more sense if Dallas replaces him ‘in the aggregate’ to torture the now-cliche; perhaps with a defender and a middle six forward. Whatever the case, I’m fascinated to see how this plays out.

Mason Marchment traded to Seattle

For a 2026 3rd rounder, and a 2025 4th rounder.

Elliotte Friedman had some interesting comments about the trade. Namely that there was a good deal of interest, but — and this is key — that Dallas needed to shed the full contract. That most likely implication here is that teams (like Utah and Toronto) wanted to send back a player in return. While it’s fun to imagine Dallas considering gambles on Matias Maccelli and Nicholas Robertson, I thought this was tidy work by Jim Nill.

The Stars were never gonna be able to trade up, per se (although I do wonder how this scenario would have played out if the Stars had more cap to work with), and interest is a vague term that can mean a lot of things. Maybe teams wanted him in exchange for one of their fourth liners? Being interested doesn’t mean being willing to part with value in return. Marchment was and remains the mystery box that Dallas bought to begin with.

Despite how things ended (ill-timed penalties, mostly), Marchment’s time in Dallas was fascinating. It was a move that was universally lauded at the time; the rare instance of Nill and his pro scouts bringing in a player with more future than history. Were they rewarded? I still don’t know. Lest we forget, Marchment was on pace for 61 points this season. That’s extremely good value, not to mention, an upgrade from his previous high of 53 the season before. While Matt Duchene was always the prime mover on that line with Tyler Seguin, there’s no denying what Marchment brought, and I feel like the subtleties of his game got lost in the lack of discipline (that Nashville goal is still one of the filthiest things I’ve seen a Star do in years). Perhaps the most interesting consequence is what happens to Duchene and Seguin. Do they find someone to replace Marchment, or does Dallas stack the top six?

I’ve also rarely had more fun writing about a player that inspired more curiosity than judgment.

Tales From the Clipped: Mason Marchment, the mystery box who remains a mystery

Mavrik Bourque, one year, $950,000

Talk about value. Bourque was supposed to get $2M a year with term. Instead Nill didn’t even pay half that. Bourque is betting on himself here.

I’ve been quite the Bourque advocate. As you can tell, I was visibly bothered by his lack of presence in the playoffs despite being a productive rookie with a lot of value at both ends of the ice. For such a touted playmaker, he displayed defensive chops that really showed up in the numbers (not to mention, an improvement in his skating).

It’s probably safe to say that a lot of these categories where he’s lacking — especially his primary, chance, and in-zone assists are concerned — come from playing so many minutes in the bottom six with different linemates, none of whom maximized his skillset.

Still, one year isn’t a lot of time to see if he can take that next step. While I’m still a believer in his game, he won’t have much runway to learn as he goes. His game is a lot more complex, and therefore subject to more turbulence, and misperception. A new coach won’t guarantee a fresh start if they still have traditional views about smaller players. To his credit, that line with Robertson and Wyatt Johnston looked very good in that final game against the Oilers. Perhaps that’s something the new coach looks to build on? Wouldn’t be the first time Bourque got a quality look on the top line. Nonetheless, Dallas got a lot of bang for their buck here.

Tales From The Clipped: Breaking down Mavrik Bourque's current success on the top line

Nils Lundkvist, one year, $1.25 million

If I seemed bugged by the Lundkvist signing, it’s not because I dislike the player but because this is exactly the same contract Dallas could have got Nick Perbix at, who is yes, headed to free agency. If Dallas needs a top four defender, wouldn’t that be the ideal move — add a top four defender, and then Perbix? I know. Magical Christmas Land. But still.

I’m being a sourpuss, but I think it’s more because I think we know who Lundkvist is by now. He can make fantastic plays in the offensive zone, and that’s just…kind of it.

To be sure, Lundkvist potentially next to Lian Bichsel sounds like a quality third pair. By all accounts, however, it sounds like Ilya Lyubushkin is staying put. Having said all that, I want to see Lundkvist succeed, and I think he’s an interesting enough player that keeping around at that cap hit is solid work, regardless of my own personal opinions.

Mitch Marner (yes, the one)

I thought it was hilarious that LeBrun also added that the Stars are at the top of a short list that includes Vegas and L.A. Obviously, the Stars being in a cap crunch means this is comically far-fetched.

We’ve been here before, back when Dallas was in on John Tavares, right down to a proper meeting. The takeaway? The Stars are doing the proverbial diligence because players as good as Marner don’t hit the market, so why not introduce yourself? I suspect the same thing could be happening here.

Marner still is one of the game’s gamebreaking talents as a playmaking right winger who can play the toughest minutes, and play both sides of special teams.

Can you imagine a Hintz-Rantanen, Johnston-Marner one-two punch? Insanity.

Of course, the asterisk is that he’s a playoff “choker.” While broadly true — I’ve seen Marner play poorly, and also get unlucky, but either way the bottom line is the same — these narratives are tiring. The regular season is still important. Just because a player isn’t Sam Bennett in the playoffs doesn’t mean they’re worthless. Beyond that, the mix in Toronto has always been bad for their top players for reasons that are usually chalked up to “Toronto’s curse” but that is not voodoo at all. Would a change of scenery be exactly what’s needed for him to have a career postseason? Given Toronto’s “curse”, would it even surprise anyone if he became that player without a Leafs uniform? Just saying.

Again, this is largely a waste of time considering, but it’s out there.

The offseason ahead plus programming notes

Dallas is in an interesting spot. With $2.7 million to work with, it sounds like they’re trying to offload Matt Dumba, which would give Dallas more than $6 million to work with. That would take care of bringing back Jamie Benn, and a couple of UFA adds. Are we dealing with a better team, at that point? Unless the blueline is fixed, then no. If the Stars are really trying to get better, then a trade is the only route.

On a programming note, I’ll write about any big news obviously (smaller stuff I’ll post in the chat), but I love the draft and this is draft week, so expect the following:

• Tuesday: Forwards Dallas can target in the 2025 NHL Draft

• Wednesday: Defenders Dallas can target in the 2025 NHL Draft (paid)

• Friday: Dallas’ prospect pool overview

I’ll have my own 2025 NHL Draft top 32 at the other place, but again — subscribe there only if you really want to read about other teams. It really is for fans of other teams and the NHL at large, so don’t let me flood your inbox if you don’t want to. Bookmark it, and just check it out at your leisure (and yes, it’s free).

As always, major thanks to everyone who subscribes. Keep reading, and I’ll keep writing.