Third Team Unexpectedly Joins Blockbuster Trade Between Tampa Bay and Seattle
Photo credit: ESPN
A 3rd NHL team has joined the blockbuster trade that was executed this afternoon between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Seattle Kraken.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have brought back a familiar name, re-acquiring forward Yanni Gourde from the Seattle Kraken along with Oliver Bjorkstrand in return for a considerable package of draft picks.
But a 3rd team has hopped into the trade to retain 25% of Gourde's salary, officially categorizing the move as a 3-team trade.
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has lent a helping hand to his former protege Julien BriseBois by retaining a quarter of Gourde's salary, totalling $1.25 million; the Red Wings will receive draft compensation in return, and it will be the higher 4th round 2025 pick of either the Lightning or the Edmonton Oilers.
The full trade is as follows:
Tampa Bay Lightning receive:
Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde (50% salary retained by Seattle, 25% retained by Detroit), 2026 5th round pick, and prospect Kyle Aucoin
Seattle Kraken receive:
Mikey Eyssimont, 2025 2nd round pick (Originally belonging to the Toronto Maple Leafs), 2026 1st round pick, 2027 1st round pick.
Detroit Red Wings receive: Higher of Tampa Bay/Edmonton's 2025 4th round pick
Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde (50% salary retained by Seattle, 25% retained by Detroit), 2026 5th round pick, and prospect Kyle Aucoin
Seattle Kraken receive:
Mikey Eyssimont, 2025 2nd round pick (Originally belonging to the Toronto Maple Leafs), 2026 1st round pick, 2027 1st round pick.
Detroit Red Wings receive: Higher of Tampa Bay/Edmonton's 2025 4th round pick
Yanni Gourde returns to Tampa Bay
Gourde, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, returns to the club that he helped win back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
He was later exposed in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft and snatched up by the Kraken, where he's played ever since.
Meanwhile, Bjorkstrand joins his 3rd NHL club after having played for both the Kraken and Columbus Blue Jackets.
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