The Stars have been a habitual playoff participant for the past decade and a cup threat since the COVID bubble of 2020. They have great goaltending and the perfect blend of young and older players, and now they have a legitimate superstar in Rantanen. They also locked up young star Wyatt Johnston for 5 years. The Stars will be a top-5 team for at least the next 3-4 years.
They have some notable free agents, including long-time captain Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, and Mikael Granlund. Due to Tyler Seguin's massive contract and limited cap space, the Stars will likely let almost all of those players walk unless a player like Benn takes a very team-friendly deal. This limited cap space means the Penguins have an opening they can exploit.
Offer Sheet Mavrik Bourque to a 3-year $15 million contract ($ 5 million AAV)
Bourque was the Stars' 2020 first-round pick and won the AHL Player of the Year award last year with the Texas Stars. However, he has not seen consistent playing time with the NHL squad and has been a healthy scratch every playoff game except two this postseason. He is yet to break out and is worth trying to poach from Dallas.
Is Bourque worth $5 million a year right now? Absolutely not. However, he is only 23 years old and is worth taking a shot on. With a three-year deal, he would be eligible for a massive pay day in three years. If he does not play well, with the rising cap figures, he will not be a financial burden.
The Penguins need to get younger and expend some draft capital to acquire them. I assume this AAV will fall into the range that will cost the Penguins a 2026 second-round pick; the offer sheet compensation has not been released yet. This is a risky move, but the worst that can happen is Bourque becomes a bottom-six forward for the next three years and then the Penguins move on.