The Tampa Bay Lightning have reaffirmed their commitment to their core group by securing center Yanni Gourde with a significant six-year contract extension valued at $13.98 million. The new deal, which averages $2.33 million per season, will see Gourde remain with the Lightning until he is 39 years old.
In contrast to his previous contract, Gourde is taking a noteworthy pay cut with this extension. He concluded a hefty six-year, $31 million contract that he initially signed in 2019 but was claimed by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. After spending four years in Seattle, he made a return to Tampa Bay via trade alongside winger Oliver Bjorkstrand just before the 2025 Trade Deadline.
Gourde’s contributions to the Lightning have been crucial, highlighted by his role in helping the team secure back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021. He consistently demonstrated his two-way playing style during the playoffs, contributing 14 points in 25 games during the 2020 run and seven points in 23 games the following year. His strong defensive play complemented high-scoring forwards like Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos.
In the most recent season, he recorded seven goals and 31 points in 57 games, signaling a potential scoring pace that aligns closely with his career averages. Gourde has shown a pattern of around 40 points in healthy seasons, with standout performances including back-to-back 48-point seasons while playing for Seattle.
Gourde’s journey to the NHL is nothing short of inspirational. Undrafted through three consecutive classes and starting his professional career on a minor-league contract in 2012, he overcame challenges, including a temporary demotion to the ECHL. His perseverance led him back to the AHL and eventually to a breakout season in 2017-18 when he notched career-highs of 25 goals, 39 assists, and 64 points, ranking fourth on the Lightning in scoring that season.
With his new deal, Gourde is set for a promising future in Tampa Bay, showcasing a remarkable transformation from an undersized prospect to a vital player in the NHL. His career trajectory highlights the impact of determination and hard work, marking a significant chapter in his story that will continue to unfold over the coming years.