The Seattle Kraken kicked off their roster overhaul on March 5, 2025, by trading veteran forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Tampa Bay Lightning. This well-anticipated move, coming just days before the NHL trade deadline, aimed to rejuvenate the Kraken's future prospects with the acquisition of valuable assets.
Seattle’s general manager Ron Francis confirmed the blockbuster, stating, "Oliver and Yanni were tremendous players for our organization who led by example on and off the ice, and I wish them all the best in their next chapter with the Lightning." The Kraken received significant compensation, including Tampa's first-round picks for 2026 and 2027, Toronto’s second-round pick for 2025, and depth forward Michael Eyssimont. The deal was facilitated by the Detroit Red Wings, who retained 25 percent of Gourde’s salary, with Seattle taking on 50 percent of his cap hit.
This trade not only strengthens the Kraken’s draft capital—updating them with multiple first-round selections over the next few years—but also allows them to clear salary cap space as they continue to refine their roster. With the Kraken's impending roster changes, Gourde's and Bjorkstrand's exits from Seattle come after seasons filled with highs and lows.
Yanni Gourde, now 33, enjoyed success as part of Tampa Bay’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. With 52 goals and 94 assists during his four-year tenure with the Kraken, he is known for his competitive spirit and versatility on the ice. His return to Tampa signals another pivotal playoff push for the Lightning, as he reunites with the team he helped lead to glory.
On the other hand, Oliver Bjorkstrand, at 29, scored 56 goals and provided 85 assists during his 224 games with the Kraken. His contributions were significant and memorable, including game-winning goals and standout performances during the Kraken's first playoff appearance. Bjorkstrand is under contract for another year at $5.4 million, freeing the Kraken from his salary and allowing them to allocate resources elsewhere.
The details surrounding the trade reveal much about the strategic priorities for both teams. The Lightning, historically aggressive at the trade deadline, continue to focus on winning now rather than building for the future. Acquiring Gourde and Bjorkstrand, both renowned for their postseason prowess, is no small feat as they push to create another deep playoff run.
For the Kraken, this trade is seen as part of a broader effort to secure high draft picks and build for long-term success. The assets retrieved from Tampa Bay will certainly provide them with additional flexibility moving forward to seek potential trades or to bolster their NHL roster through free agency.
Notably, the first-round picks acquired by the Kraken are protected; if either ends up being within the top 10 of the draft, the Lightning have the option to delay the selection to the following years, 2028 and 2029. This stipulation offers the Kraken protection should the Lightning struggle to yield favorable results, allowing Seattle to retain strategic options.
Mikey Eyssimont, the other forward acquired by the Kraken, has divided time playing for various teams over the past four seasons and brings NHL experience, expected to contribute to Seattle's depth through the remainder of the season. Currently, Eyssimont has 10 points along with 44 penalty minutes over 57 games this campaign.
With this trade, the Kraken intend to rejuvenate their team, ensuring they position themselves more favorably for incoming prospects from their affiliate teams as well as for potential draft shares from external sources. The Kraken organization is optimistic about maximizing these changes to lead them back to playoff contention.
Looking at the Lightning's approach, their eagerness to acquire talents such as Gourde and Bjorkstrand, who can add immediate value, reflects their organizational philosophy of urgency and competitive excellence. Tampa Bay’s management is hopeful about securing their contributions as they ramp up for the playoffs with this latest bolstering of talent.
Players like Gourde and Bjorkstrand arriving at the Lightning exemplify Tampa Bay’s unrelenting commitment to excellence as they pursue their aspirations toward more Stanley Cup victories.