The Tampa Bay Lightning are making another run at the Stanley Cup, acquiring Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken.
This is going to happen…not sure how it all looks, but understand key part of return is two first-round picks from Lightning to Kraken. https://t.co/be4Q4c0BLQ
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2025
As part of the trade package, the Lightning will get Bjorkstrand, Gourde, who waived their no-trade clauses to go there, and Kyle Aucoin, along with a fifth-round pick in exchange for a first-round pick in 2026 and 2027, Toronto’s second-round pick in 2025, and Micheal Eyssimont.
Seattle gets first round pick in 26, first round pick in 27, Toronto’s 2nd in ’25 and Eyssimont in trade with Tampa.
Bolts get Gourde and Bjokstrand plus 5th Rd pick in ’26— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 5, 2025
The Detroit Red Wings were involved as they sent unsigned defenseman Kyle Aucoin to the Kraken for Gourde, and retained 50 percent of his salary, then traded Gourde to the Lightning for a 2025 conditional fourth.
The Lightning were setting up something big when they placed Cam Atkinson ($900,000 AAV) on waivers to give themselves a little over $6 million in cap space. It was the first time in many years that the Lightning had actual cap space to acquire players. Most of the time, they operated in LTIR. That is not against the rules, but Lightning GM Julien BriseBois was always spending to the cap.
NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Tampa Bay Lightning
What made Tampa Bay so hard to play against in their runs to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, and a third trip in 2022, was how well they played defense. Having Ryan McDonagh back helps, but adding a two-way, hard-nosed center like Yanni Gourde gives the Lightning’s bottom-six a punch that has been missing for a while. Gourde was an integral piece to the Cup runs.
Yanni Gourde, acquired by TB, is a two-way centre who crashes the net, harrasses opponents, battles, forechecks, and even hits despite being only 5’9. Plays behind the net and extends possessions by protecting the puck and making low-to-high passes. Poor finishing touch. pic.twitter.com/Q8Xo18lVrZ
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 5, 2025
NHL Rumors: Philadelphia Flyers, and the Seattle Kraken
Not only do they get Yanni Gourde, but Oliver Bjorkstrand as well. He is another two-way, good defensive, scoring winger. He is perfect for the third-line. Again, the third and fourth lines powered Tampa to championships. Yes, the top guys scored, but their bottom-six was one of the best at the time.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, acquired by TB, is a two-way scoring winger who carries the puck in transition and plays a shot-first game at even strength while dishing it on the powerplay. Works hard without the puck and has a good defensive stick. Not big or fast but protects the puck. pic.twitter.com/7Z9tb65KPS
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 5, 2025
Seattle had players that teams wanted. Gourde was on the list for contending teams looking for center depth. Oliver Bjorkstrand has another year left on his deal. This is similar to when they acquired Blake Coleman, who had a year plus left on his deal.
But these two are not the only players that will be on the move. Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, and Jared McCann are names that are out there as the Kraken try to reshape their roster and image moving forward.
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