The Dallas Stars, facing salary-cap issues, feared an offer sheet they couldn't match and ultimately dealt Bourque to the Nashville Predators moments before free agency opened on July 1st. The 24-year-old Bourque, the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, has quickly committed to his new team, signing a lucrative six-year contract worth $33 million ($5.5M AAV). In the 2025-26 season, Bourque averaged 15:29 time-on-ice and scored a career-high 41 points (20G / 21A) in 82 games.


