Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand waited for three hours — until two players cleared waivers for the Lightning — before they could be informed they were heading to Tampa Bay as the main pieces of a three-team trade that also included the Red Wings.

The Lighting paid a steep price — two first-round picks — for Gourde and Bjorkstrand but they're two players who should fit in perfectly.

As Tampa Bay was winning a pair of Stanley Cups, it was the 5-foot-9 Yanni Gourde who often energized the Amalie Arena crowd.

Tampa Bay sends two first-round picks to Seattle in a deal that focuses on making Tampa Bay tougher to play against down the stretch.

To complete the deal, Tampa Bay sends forward Michael Eyssimont, a first-round draft pick in 2026, a first-round draft pick in 2027 and Toronto's second-round draft pick in 2025

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has never been hesitant to make a move if it meant the team was one step closer to winning another Stanley Cup.

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The Tampa Bay Lightning are gearing up for another playoff run. Two days before the 2024-25 NHL trade deadline, the Lightning landed Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Michael Eyssimont,

The Kraken received three draft picks and forward Michael Eyssimont for center Yanni Gourde, winger Oliver Bjorkstrand and a fifth-round pick.

The Tampa Bay Lightning organization believes that adding two elite forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand will be the push they need to make a deep playoff run.