The Predators‘ Kevin Wilson has confirmed that forward Gabriel Bourque has agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $866,250.
It’s a fair deal. Bourque gets another year to show what he can do on a bottom-six role, and the Predators aren’t on the hook for a lot of term or money.
From the Preds:
Nashville, Tenn. (July 2, 2015) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Thursday that forward Gabriel Bourque has accepted his qualifying offer and signed a one-year, $866,250 contract with the club.
Bourque, 24 (9/23/90), has played 220 career NHL games – all with Nashville – since 2011-12, recording 74 points (30g-44a). The Rimouski, Que., native set career highs in hits (141) and blocked shots (44) in 2014-15 after recording a personal-best 26 points (9g-17a) in a career-high 74 games during the 2013-14 campaign. During the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 5-10, 192-pound left wing tied for the team lead in goals (3), highlighted by two goals, including the game winner, in his NHL playoff debut becoming the third player in the previous 14 playoff years to attain the feat.
Nashville’s ninth choice, 132nd overall (fifth round), in the 2009 Entry Draft, Bourque helped Moncton win the 2010 President’s Trophy as QMJHL Champions and advance to the 2010 Memorial Cup, being awarded the 2010 Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP after pacing all skaters in goals (19) and ranking third in points (29) in 21 games during the postseason in the process. He also earned a silver medal with Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championship, tying for seventh at the 2010 WJC in assists (6) while tying for 11th in points (9).
In another pair of small signings, the team as also signed newly acquired forward Max Reinhart to a one-year, two-way deal, as well as defenseman Connor Allen to an identical deal. Both should be pitching in at the AHL level next season.