Tampa Bay welcomes the return of hockey player Yanni Gourde.
Budding Again with the Bolts: Yanni Gourde Embraces Six-Year Pact
Yanni Gourde, the NHL heavyweight who's no stranger to triumph, has inked a six-year deal worth $13.98 million with his beloved Tampa Bay Lightning. Starting from the 2023-24 season, Gourde will be rocking the Thunderdom for the next seven years, with an average annual salary of $2.33 million.
Speaking to the media during a heartfelt video call, the 33-year-old center spilled his heart, "Tampa's where I want to be for the long haul. The key factor for me was landing a long-term gig and sticking around Tampa during the final leg of my NHL quest. The Lightning's always been my top choice, and I'm over the moon that we made it happen."
Back in the limelight after several dazzling seasons with the Tampa Bay dynasty, Gourde snagged two consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021. Yet, a twist of fate brought him to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft the following summer.
Fast forward to March of last year, the Lightning pulled off a shrewd move by reacquiring Gourde before the trade deadline. In exchange for two conditional first-round picks and Oliver Bjorkstrand, the Lightning's general manager, Julien BriseBois, was confident he'd seal a contract with Gourde.
Reflecting on the negotiations, Gourde humbly mentioned, "I had high hopes, but it all depends on the talks. Tampa was number one on my list during my Seattle stint, whether trading or becoming a free agent. I was ecstatic to return when I was shipped back in March."
A couple of setbacks in Gourde's 2021-22 season slowed him down. First, a sports hernia sidelined him for several weeks before surgery. Later, a broken finger added another hurdle during Tampa Bay's first-round playoff loss to the surging Florida Panthers. However, Gourde remains hopeful the team can reclaim their championship lustre.
"The ending wasn't what we dreamt of last season, but I'm confident in this squad. Our aim is to clad ourselves in the Tampa Bay Lightning jersey with pride, strive for perfection, and, of course, ultimately hoist the Stanley Cup."
A fair warning: whilst Gourde's golden years may unfold in Tampa, teams must remain vigilant when managing their salary cap. A potential contract buy-out looms on the horizon, should Gourde's performance slip significantly in the future. But, for now, Yanni Gourde has turned the page to a new chapter with the Lightning, relishing the anticipation of lasting contributions and Tampa Bay triumph.
Yanni Gourde, who won two consecutive Stanley Cup titles with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has extended his career in the city for the foreseeable future by signing a six-year deal with the team. In the world of NHL sports, Gourde's loyalty to Tampa Bay showcases his dedication to hockey, particularly with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL.
