Just a few hours ago, the Dallas Stars secured the return of forward Matt Duchene, a key figure on Mikko Rantanen’s team. The Central Division franchise now has its sights set on making strategic adjustments to compete for the Stanley Cup and has traded one of its players to the Seattle Kraken.
As part of their preparation ahead of a new campaign, some moves are driven more by financial considerations than on-ice performance. This is the case for the Stars, who have cleared a significant portion of salary cap space to stay aggressive in the offseason and preserve the core built around Rantanen.
This move comes shortly after the Stars locked in Duchene with a four-year, $18 million contract extension, carrying an annual average value of $4.5 million. The Dallas franchise is now positioned to address roster needs during the offseason.
The player the Stars traded to the Kraken
The player dealt by the Stars to the Kraken is none other than forward Mason Marchment, who heads to Seattle in exchange for two draft picks: a third-rounder in 2026 and a fourth-rounder in 2025. The deal was confirmed by NHL.com.
Mason Marchment, the new player of the Kraken
The veteran forward carried a $4.5 million cap hit for the upcoming season and was entering the final year of his contract. The trade provides salary cap relief and reflects a financially driven decision heading into the 2025–26 NHL season.
see also
NHL News: Stars agree major extension with key teammate of Mikko Rantanen
Marchment’s stint with the Stars
Mason Marchment joined the Dallas Stars in July 2022 as a free agent and proved to be a valuable contributor over his three seasons with the team. During the 2024–25 campaign, the 30-year-old veteran recorded 22 goals and 25 assists in 62 games.
