Having played a key role in their Stanley Cup victories, Yanni Gourde always harbored a desire to remain with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now, he has secured the opportunity to potentially conclude his NHL career as a member of the team.
Gourde officially signed a new six-year contract on Monday. The deal is worth just under $14 million in total, extending his commitment to the Lightning through the 2030-31 season with an annual salary cap charge of $2.33 million.
Speaking with reporters via video call, Gourde emphasized his priority: “My main objective was to stay in Tampa for an extended period. The most crucial part for me was getting a contract with term that would allow me to remain here and play in Tampa for the remainder of my career. That was the primary focus. I`m incredibly happy that we were able to make this happen.”
Gourde was an integral part of Tampa Bay`s consecutive championship teams in 2020 and 2021. Following the second Cup win, he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft and spent over three seasons with them.
The Lightning brought the 33-year-old center back to the organization prior to the March trade deadline. At the time of the acquisition (which involved sending conditional first-round picks and other assets to Seattle for Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand), General Manager Julien BriseBois expressed confidence in reaching a long-term agreement with Gourde.
“I had hoped it might be a possibility, but you never know the outcome until negotiations begin,” Gourde commented. “Certainly, Tampa was always at the top of my list while I was in Seattle, should I have been traded again, moved elsewhere, or become a free agent. When March arrived and I was traded back here, I was absolutely thrilled to return.”
During the recent regular season, Gourde missed several weeks dealing with a sports hernia that required surgery. He also broke a finger during Tampa Bay`s first-round playoff loss to the reigning champion Florida Panthers. Despite the team`s early exit from the postseason, Gourde believes the opportunity for the Lightning to win championships is still very much alive.
“Ending the season in the first round was undoubtedly disappointing, but I truly believe in this team and how good this group is,” Gourde stated. “The most important thing is simply finding ways to win, ways to perform, and ways to be proud while wearing the Tampa Bay Lightning jersey. Of course, the ultimate ambition remains winning a championship.”
