The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $2.33 million, the team announced Monday.
The 33-year-old veteran was set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
The Lightning reacquired Gourde from the Seattle Kraken prior to the 2025 trade deadline. The deal also brought Oliver Bjorkstrand to Tampa Bay. He won two Stanley Cups during his first stint with the Bolts.
Gourde posted seven goals and 24 assists in 57 games last season while averaging 16:03 per contest.
He added one assist in five playoff games.
The 5-foot-9, 174-pound winger brings competitiveness and defensive skills to make up for his smaller frame. He recorded 109 hits last season and projects to play a key role on Tampa Bay’s penalty kill moving forward.
At five-on-five, Gourde projects to slot in on the Lightning’s third line.
He’s capable of playing both center and wing.
The Bolts are left with $3.48 million in cap space with 20 players signed. Their only remaining unrestricted free agents are Cam Atkinson, Luke Glendening, and Nick Perbix.
Gage Goncalves is their only restricted free agent.
