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Lightning Make Major Roster Announcement Amid Offseason Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 1:56 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made one of the first moves of the offseason. Tampa Bay has signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract worth an AAV of $2.33 million.

The team announced the move on social media. Gourde was re-acquired by the Lightning at the trade deadline this past season after spending the first part of the year with the Seattle Kraken.

Over 21 games with the Lightning, Gourde registered 13 assists and one goal. With Seattle, he posted six goals and 11 assists over 36 games.

Gourde is very familiar with the Lightning, having spent multiple seasons with the team. He helped Tampa Bay win two Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021, so he understands the pressure that comes from playing for this organization.

Heeeeere's Yanni!

We have signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract worth an AAV of $2.33 million.

: https://t.co/EKMGH8oAaZ pic.twitter.com/7y1M08XOqy
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 2, 2025

The veteran left the team in 2021 via the NHL Expansion Draft. Over 271 games with the Kraken, Gourde put up 52 goals and 146 points.

But Tampa is glad to have him back in town, and this extension shows that. The Lightning are looking to replicate the success that they saw a few seasons ago, and Gourde was a big part of that.

Tampa Bay did make the postseason this year, but fell to the Florida Panthers in the first round. Despite being favored in the series, the Lightning just couldn't overcome the physicality that the Panthers had.

This is the first of likely many moves from Tampa Bay this offseason, as they try to build a more competitive team. With Gourde in the mix, the Lightning have added some more depth to the roster.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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