TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today the signing of forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract extension, solidifying his return to the organization with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.33 million. Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois made the announcement Monday.
Gourde, 33, was re-acquired by the Lightning on March 5, 2025, in a significant three-team trade involving the Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken.
Since rejoining the Bolts, Gourde has made an immediate impact, registering 13 assists and 14 points in 21 games, along with a plus-four rating. His 50 hits ranked second on the team following his acquisition, and he was third among Lightning skaters in assists during that span. He also played in all five of Tampa Bay’s playoff games, showcasing his defensive prowess with six blocked shots and nine hits, ranking second and sixth among Bolts forwards, respectively.
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This contract marks a familiar embrace for Gourde, who was an integral part of the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. Originally undrafted, Gourde’s journey to the NHL began when he signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent on March 10, 2014. He made his NHL debut with the Bolts on December 15, 2015, notching his first career point with an assist in a 5-4 victory over Toronto.
During his initial tenure with the Lightning from 2015 to 2021, Gourde skated in 310 regular-season contests, recording 80 goals and 187 points. He ranked seventh in goals and eighth in points for the team during that period. His five shorthanded goals and eight shorthanded points both ranked second among all Tampa Bay skaters, while his 20 game-winning goals tied for fourth.
In the playoffs, Gourde appeared in all 69 of the Lightning’s postseason games from 2018-21, contributing 16 goals and 29 points, and leading the team with 47 takeaways.
After being selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, Gourde continued to be a valuable asset. He played in 271 regular-season games for the Kraken, accumulating 52 goals and 146 points with 219 penalty minutes.
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He was a key figure in Seattle’s first and only playoff appearance in 2023, leading the team with nine assists, 13 points, two game-winning goals, and 18 takeaways in 14 postseason games.
The Saint-Narcisse, Quebec native left the Kraken franchise as the all-time leader in takeaways (192) and shorthanded points (8), while ranking second in penalty minutes, fourth in assists (94) and tied for fourth in points, and sixth in games played.
Overall, Gourde has played in 602 career NHL games, tallying 133 goals and 347 points, including 28 game-winning goals and a plus-46 rating. In 88 career playoff games, he has recorded 20 goals and 43 points, along with 164 hits and 65 takeaways.
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