Wednesday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Lightning added forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand as well as a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a pair of first-round picks in both 2026 and 2027, a second-round pick in 2025, and forward Michael Eyssimont.
The Red Wings were also involved in the deal, sending unsigned Harvard defenceman Kyle Aucoin to the Bolts in return for a a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick. Seattle and Detroit will both be retaining Gourde's $5.17-million cap hit at 50 and 25 per cent respectively, bringing his price tag down to just under $1.3 million for the Bolts. The first-round picks sent to Seattle are top-10 protected.
If either pick turns into a 2028 first-rounder, the Kraken will receive an extra third-round pick in that same draft, according to TSN's Chris Johnston. If both picks slide, Seattle will get a third-round selection in 2029 as well.
The move should help Tampa sure up their top nine forward group with Bjorkstrand slated to slide into the second line right wing spot while Gourde leads the third line at centre. The Lightning are fighting to stay in the picture of Stanley Cup contenders after winning a pair of cups in the last five seasons. They currently sit third in the Atlantic Division with a 36-21-4 record, only trailing three points behind the Maple Leafs and Panthers for the Division lead.
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A lot can still happen like the Bolts potentially securing the top spot in the Atlantic and fending off a troublesome matchup versus Toronto or Florida until the second round. Tampa Bay is listed at +375 to win the Atlantic Division and have the eighth-easiest remaining strength of schedule. The Lightning are listed with +1400 odds to win the Stanley Cup and have a over/under set at 101.5 regular season points with -130 odds. This could be a potential play if their offence gets hot and takes advantage of their favorable schedule.
Seattle could be looking to pack things in as they sit with a 26-32-4 record and 11 points behind the Calgary Flames for the second wild card spot in the west. They could benefit from acting as sellers ahead of Friday's trade deadline. The Kraken have an over/under set at 75.5 regular season points that could start looking like a lock for the under if they continue to sell off pieces like star winger Jared McCann.
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It'll be Gourde's second stint with the Bolts after playing 310 games in Tampa Bay over seven seasons, where he recorded 187 points. The 33-year-old Quebec product has surpassed 60 points once in his career but has mainly produced roughly 30-50 points a season as a reliable depth forward.
Bjorkstrand, 29, is a Danish winger that is a reliable 40-50 point producer over his ten-year NHL career. He's recorded 375 points in 606 games and is on track for another 50 point season as he sits at 37 through 61 games this season.