Lightning Re-Sign Yanni Gourde to Six-Year Contract

Yanni Gourde, a key contributor to the Tampa Bay Lightning`s Stanley Cup triumphs, consistently expressed a desire to remain with the team. His wish appears to have come true, as he is now potentially set to conclude his NHL career in Tampa.

On Monday, Gourde finalized a new six-year contract valued at slightly under $14 million. This agreement secures his presence with the Lightning through the 2030-31 season, carrying an annual salary cap hit of $2.33 million.

Speaking with reporters via video conference, Gourde emphasized his strong preference for a long-term commitment in Tampa. He stated that securing a contract with sufficient term to finish his playing days with the team was his primary goal. “I’m so excited that we could make this happen,” he added.

Gourde played an instrumental role in the Lightning`s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. Following the second Cup victory, he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, where he played for over three seasons.

The 33-year-old center was reacquired by the Lightning in March, prior to the trade deadline. General Manager Julien BriseBois indicated confidence at the time in his ability to sign Gourde long-term, having sent multiple conditional first-round draft picks and other assets to Seattle in the trade that also included Oliver Bjorkstrand.

“I was hoping it would be a possibility, but you never know until the negotiation starts,” Gourde commented, acknowledging the uncertainty of contract talks. He reiterated that Tampa Bay had always been his preferred destination while he was in Seattle, whether through trade or free agency. He expressed significant excitement upon his return in March.

This past regular season saw Gourde miss several weeks recovering from a sports hernia and subsequent surgery. He also broke a finger during Tampa Bay`s first-round playoff series loss to the reigning champion Florida Panthers. Despite the disappointing early exit, Gourde remains optimistic about the team`s future, believing their window to compete for the Stanley Cup remains wide open.

Reflecting on the season`s conclusion, Gourde described the first-round defeat as “disappointing” but voiced strong confidence in the current group of players. He stressed the importance for the team to find ways to win, perform, and wear the Tampa Bay Lightning jersey with pride, reaffirming that winning a championship is the ultimate objective.