The Lightning make a splash yet again, acquiring Yanni Gourde & Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle for two first round picks (2026, 2027) and Mikey Eyssimont. Tampa also gets a 2026 fifth round pick in the pre-deadline blockbuster.
Tampa Bay's salvo came hours after Florida remained active before the 3 p.m. EST deadline Friday, acquiring goaltender Vitek Vanecek from the San Jose Sharks for 25-year-old forward Patrick Giles.
When Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand found out on Wednesday morning that they were being traded from the Seattle Kraken, the forwards weren’t yet sure of the location for their next hockey home. Their hope,
Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde is returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning -- and he's taking Oliver Bjorkstrand with him.
The Tampa Bay Lightning answered the cross-state-rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers’ first couple of additions ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a big move of their
Yanni Gourde, part of Tampa's 2020 and 2021 title teams, and Oliver Bjorkstrand add valuable depth. But it was costly: Seattle gets first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, a second-rounder this year and Mikey Eyssimont.
To complete the deal, Tampa Bay sends forward Michael Eyssimont, a first-round draft pick in 2026, a first-round draft pick in 2027 and Toronto's second-round draft pick in 2025
Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has never been hesitant to make a move if it meant the team was one step closer to winning another Stanley Cup.