Nashville Predators Sign Forward Mavrik Bourque to Six-Year, $33 Million Deal

On July 4, 2026 the Nashville Predators announced forward Mavrik Bourque had signed a six-year, $33 million contract with a $5.5 million average annual value through the 2031-32 season, after which he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The deal followed Nashville’s July 1 acquisition of Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from Dallas for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick.

Predators lock up Mavrik Bourque to six-year, $33M dealThe TennesseanESPNBourque signs 6-year, $33 million contract with PredatorsPredators sign Mavrik Bourque to six-year contract

The July 1, 2026 trade was part of GM Chris MacFarland’s roster reshaping after becoming president of hockey operations on June 2. Nashville sent its 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-rounder from the Vegas Golden Knights obtained in the March 3 Cole Smith deal. Dallas, constrained by the cap, also moved Lyubushkin’s $3.25 million hit.

The Tennessean

Mavrik Bourque, 24, was a first-round 30th-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He recorded 20 goals, 21 assists for 41 points in 82 regular-season games in 2025-26 and added a playoff goal. Dallas GM Jim Nill cited cap compliance as the reason for losing Bourque. Nashville GM Chris MacFarland praised his two-way play as a fit for the rebuilding plan.

Bourque signs 6-year, $33 million contract with PredatorsESPNPredators lock up Mavrik Bourque to six-year, $33M dealPredators sign Mavrik Bourque to six-year contractThe Tennessean

The six-year deal totals $33 million, a $5.5 million cap hit, tying Bourque with Jonathan Marchessault for the third-highest forward cap hit in Nashville. He earned $950,000 on a one-year contract in 2025-26. He recorded 66 points (31 goals, 35 assists) in 156 NHL games. He posted 129 points in 147 AHL games and 236 points in 172 QMJHL games.

Predators sign Mavrik Bourque to six-year contract

MacFarland said Bourque’s two-way skill set aligns with Nashville’s building strategy and the six-year term reflects confidence in his development. Nill explained Dallas could not retain Bourque because his contract exceeded the team’s cap flexibility, calling the decision a routine business move.

ESPN

Sources differ on the number of games Bourque played in 2025-26: ESPN lists 82 regular-season games, while Sportsnet reports 81. No source provides details on performance clauses or bonuses in the new contract, leaving those terms unconfirmed.

Predators lock up Mavrik Bourque to six-year, $33M deal

"Mavrik Bourque is a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here in Nashville." — Chris MacFarland, General Manager, Nashville Predators

The Tennessean

"He is a casualty of the cap world." — Jim Nill, General Manager, Dallas Stars

ESPN

"You have to be cap compliant, and those decisions have to be made." — Jim Nill, General Manager, Dallas Stars

ESPN

"He did a good job. His contract was coming up. He bet on himself last year." — Jim Nill, General Manager, Dallas Stars

ESPN

Bourque will join Nashville’s top-six forward group for the 2026-27 season, and his contract will keep him under team control until the summer of 2032, after which he enters unrestricted free agency.

ESPN