Tampa Bay Lightning Pull Off Blockbuster Trade for Two Top Deadline Forwards

After picking up Jake Guentzel in the summer, the Tampa Bay Lightning's core group of veterans look better than ever, and with so many players thriving this season, they appear to be a genuine Stanley Cup threat once again.

However, this is a team that still needs to add some pieces at the deadline, and according to Elliotte Friedman, they may have just done exactly that.

According to his report, the team are closing in on a deal to land both Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken, which would give this already loaded forward group an immense boost ahead of the stretch run in 2024/25.

Friedman has now confirmed the trade, and we now know that two first round picks will be sent to the Kraken from the Lightning.

The Kraken will also receive a 2nd round pick and forward Mikey Eyssimont from the Lightning.

This season, Bjorkstrand has posted 16 goals and 37 points in 61 games played, and will be a perfect fit for the Lightning's middle-six as they look to take one (or more) run at the Stanley Cup with a core group that's already won two.

The other piece in the deal is the return of Yanni Gourde, who was a key piece of Tampa Bay's middle-six during their two runs to the Stanley Cup, and while he's had health issues to deal with this season, he's still a very valuable two-way player when he's on the ice.

While Tampa Bay have made some questionable trades at recent deadlines, with the Tanner Jeannot deal quickly coming to mind, but it's safe to say that after pulling this one off, the team's chances this season rose immensely, adding two fantastic forwards to a group that simply needs help around their elite level talent.