The Tampa Bay Lightning’s “winning culture” played a big role in convincing Yanni Gourde, one of their top pending unrestricted free agents (UFA), to stay with the team for the long term—even with a lower salary cap hit. Gourde agreed to a new deal with an average annual value (AAV) of around $5.17 million, less than before, to help the team stay within salary limits.
Gourde’s Contract and Tampa Bay’s Salary Cap Situation
Before this new contract, Gourde had a six-year deal worth about $5.17 million a year that will expire this summer. The Lightning have less than $6 million in cap space for the next season and 19 of their 23 roster spots are already filled. This means the team needed to be careful with money and manage their salary cap wisely.
Gourde’s Performance and Career Highlights
Gourde, now 33, isn’t scoring as much as he did during his first full NHL season in 2017-18 when he hit 25 goals and 64 points. Since then, his highest point totals were 48 points in three seasons, and this year he recorded 31 points in 57 games. But despite this, he was an important part of Tampa Bay’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021. Gourde believes the team’s chance to win again is still alive.
“We want to win – I think we’re right there,” Gourde said in a press conference. “I’m so excited for the future and what’s coming.”
Gourde’s Journey Back to Tampa Bay
Gourde started his NHL career with Tampa Bay but was claimed by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft. At that time, he still had four years left on his six-year contract. Just before the trade deadline, the Lightning brought him back in a three-team trade involving the Kraken and Detroit Red Wings. Along with right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand, he was traded back to Tampa Bay in exchange for draft picks and a player.
Gourde said Tampa was always his top choice, whether through trade or free agency. “I love Tampa,” he shared. “That was the biggest thing for me, getting some term… And play in Tampa for the remaining years of my career.”
Gourde’s 2024 Season Performance
In 21 regular-season games this season with Tampa Bay, Gourde scored one goal and made 13 assists while averaging 17 minutes on the ice. In the playoffs, he added one assist in five games against the Florida Panthers. Earlier this year, he also played 36 games with Seattle, scoring six goals and 11 assists.
Similar Moves and Team Changes
The Lightning recently made a similar move by re-acquiring defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who was also part of their championship teams. However, they had to let go of longtime captain Steven Stamkos, who signed with the Nashville Predators. Tampa Bay replaced him by trading for Jake Guentzel and signing him to a big contract.
They also traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev for younger players and draft picks, showing the team is balancing experienced stars with future talent.
Lightning’s Strong Core and Future
Even though Tampa Bay lost in the first playoff round to the Florida Panthers again, they finished second in the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2019-20. The team has key players like Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Gourde signed through at least 2030. Defenseman Erik Cernak, captain Victor Hedman, and left winger Nick Paul also have long-term contracts. Superstar right winger Nikita Kucherov and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy have multiple years left on their deals.
Tampa Bay looks ready to keep competing for the Stanley Cup. As Gourde said, “The culture is the same culture that we had when we won.”
