Report: Senators have talked with Kraken about Gourde
The Ottawa Senators have had conversations with the Seattle Kraken about pending unrestricted free-agent center Yanni Gourde, sources told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.
Gourde carries a $5.17-million cap hit and has some control in the form of a 23-team trade list.
The 33-year-old veteran has totaled six goals and 17 points in 36 outings this season while averaging 15:30 minutes of ice time and winning 50.8% of his faceoffs.
He missed 22 games after undergoing surgery to address a sports hernia injury in January. Gourde returned to the lineup Tuesday, recording one assist in 12:53 minutes of ice time during Seattle's 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Gourde won two Stanley Cup championships with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. He chipped in with 13 goals - including four game-winners - and 21 points in 48 games across those two runs while establishing himself as an integral part of the Bolts' third line.
The Quebec native was also impactful during Seattle's first and only foray into the playoffs in 2023, potting four goals and 13 points in 14 games.
Gourde owns a career 132 goals and 333 points in 581 contests, split between Tampa Bay and Seattle. The Kraken selected him from the Lightning during the 2021 expansion draft.
The Senators (30-25-5) entered Wednesday's slate one point behind the New York Rangers for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with one game in hand. Ottawa hasn't made the postseason since 2017.
The Kraken (26-32-4) are seventh in the Pacific Division and 11 points outside of the playoff picture.