Seattle Kraken Forward Yanni Gourde Linked to the Vancouver Canucks, per Insider Chris Johnson
The Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde was linked to the Vancouver Canucks by the renowned insider Chris Johnston.
Only a few days before the NHL Holidays Roster Freeze, the Seattle Kraken made a significant acquisition on the trade market in a deal with the New York Rangers.
Indeed, General Manager Ron Francis added some depth to his forward group by sending two draft picks for Kaapo Kakko.
Now, it appears that the Kraken could be looking to part ways with one of the key forwards: Yanni Gourde.
In a recent paper for The Athletic, Chris Johnston linked the forward to the Vancouver Canucks.
He wrote that the Canucks certainly have been in the market to add a forward and a top-four defenseman ever since Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov left the organization last summer.
He argued that Gourde would do a fantastic job as the team's third center, a role he had for many years in the NHL.
In his own words:
That didn't end up being the ideal fit. Gourde would arguably slot more seamlessly into the Canucks' lineup as a third-line center - the job he filled during his most impactful seasons with Tampa Bay. He can play the wing when needed, too.
The veteran would bring a new element to the Vancouver bottom six and is known as a strong locker-room presence. You can never have too many winners in your lineup."
This season, Gourde, 33, scored 15 points, including five goals, in 32 games with the Kraken.
In his career, he took part in 577 games and scored 331 points for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Kraken. He notably won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning.
Do you think he'll get traded out of Seattle by the deadline?
