And yes, Gourde, who has a modified no-trade, would like to join a contender. He won two Stanley Cups in Tampa as you’ll remember and I always saw him as a potential fit with Toronto by the way if they strike out on those bigger names that Dregs talked about at the top.

However, Tampa Bay acquired Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde from Seattle on Wednesday, which likely influenced the Lightning's decision to send Atkinson to the minors.

The Kraken's NHL trade deadline moves were likely just the beginning of a roster makeover. Here's a look at the players and contracts over the next few years.

While the Tampa Bay Lightning answered the cross-state-rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers' activity ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a big move of their own Wednesday to bolster their playoff chances,

The Lightning make a splash yet again, acquiring Yanni Gourde & Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle for two first round picks (2026, 2027) and Mikey Eyssimont. Tampa also gets a 2026 fifth round pick in the pre-deadline blockbuster.

Yanni Gourde returned to the lineup for the Kraken on Tuesday after missing two months with an injury. Will it be the last time he puts on a Seattle sweater?

Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand waited for three hours — until two players cleared waivers for the Lightning — before they could be informed they were heading to Tampa Bay as the main pieces of a three-team trade that also included the Red Wings.

The Seattle Kraken have traded center Yanni Gourde and winger Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Tampa Bay Lightning for two future first-round picks, a second-round selection, and forward Michael Eyssimont.

What could be a busy week of NHL trade deadline activity for the Seattle Kraken started with a bang on Wednesday.