Earlier this month, the Tampa Bay Lightning made a significant move, signing Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract extension. Gourde was a pending unrestricted free agent and could have hit the market on July 1. However, with this new deal, Gourde will be staying in Tampa Bay and for a long time.
When noting that the Lightning got Gourde to agree to stick around with only a $2.33 million average annual value, it is hard not to love this move for the Bolts. That is far below what he could have made in free agency, but he took less for the opportunity to stay in Tampa Bay long term.
Gourde made it clear at the end of the season that he was hoping to stay with the Lightning, and the Bolts worked quickly to get him signed to this new contract. In the end, Gourde's new contract with the Lightning is truly a win for both the team and the player. The Lightning were able to keep Gourde around at a bargain price. Meanwhile, Gourde gained great job security by signing this six-year deal and gets to stay with the Lightning in the process.
It is going to be fascinating to see how Gourde performs after landing this contract from the Lightning from here.
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