One-for-One Trade Proposal Sends Maple Leafs Forward to Western Conference Team, per ESPN Analyst
An ESPN analyst recently revealed that the Maple Leafs could be targeting Seattle Kraken's Yanni Gourde, and in return, they would lose one of their forwards.
One of the most mentioned names in trade talks all season has been Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde. The 33-year-old is in the last year of his six-year deal with a $5.17 million AAV and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
With his age and contract situation, it seems unlikely the Kraken will keep him, so a trade feels like a foregone conclusion.
Rachel Doerrie of ESPN recently floated a hypothetical offer that would send Yanni Gourde to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here are the details:
F/C Yanni Gourde
Seattle Kraken Receive:
F Nick Robertson
Adding a two-way player like Gourde would help Toronto bolster their depth and supply some secondary scoring, something so crucial for head coach Craig Berube.
While the days of Gourde being a 20-goal scorer are most likely in the rearview mirror, his physical play, seen through his 156 hits last season, and ability to get under the skin of his opponents, remain in strong standing.
At 5'9", he would make an ideal third-line center, which would free up Max Domi to go back to his natural position on the wing.
Gourde also brings valuable playoff experience, having won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a quality Toronto would welcome as they push for postseason success.
The Kraken would get 23-year-old Nick Robertson in return, a promising forward who finally found his scoring touch with goals in three straight games.
Nick Robertson has an upside, but his fit in Toronto does not look great, and this could be an opportunity in Seattle where he can really blossom.
The Kraken have shown interest in acquiring young players who have fallen out of favor with their current teams, as seen with Kaapo Kakko. Adding Robertson to their roster follows that approach and gives them a potential sniper to grow with their core.
