Yanni Gourde Would Head to Maple Leafs in Proposed Trade

1 week ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors  /  Read Time: 1 minute 18 seconds

The Seattle Kraken's middle-six forward/center Yanni Gourde has found his name on Trade Boards everywhere this season, as he skates in the final campaign of his six-year, $5.17 million AAV deal. As an impending unrestricted free agent, at 33 years old, it's unlikely the Kraken will be re-signing him, so a trade is highly anticipated.With that in mind, ESPN's Rachel Doerrie has put forth a hypothetical trade that would get the feisty forward to the Toronto Maple Leafs:Toronto Maple Leafs Receive:F/C Yanni GourdeSeattle Kraken Receive:F Nick RobertsonWhile the Leafs have certainly upped their game considerably on the defensive side of the puck this season, adding a two-way forward of Gourde's caliber, who can also provide some secondary scoring, would be just what the doctor ordered for head coach Craig Berube. While the days of being a 20-goal scorer seem to be in his past, Gourde can still contribute a bit on the offensive end, while being a you-know-what disturber on the physical side of things. He handed out 156 hits last season despite his undersized frame at 5'9". He'd be the perfect third-line center for the Leafs, allowing Max Domi to shift back to his natural spot on the wing. Gourde would even bring some Stanley Cup pedigree with him into the playoffs (2 rings with the Tampa Bay Lightning), something Toronto could certainly use. As for Robertson, he's finally heating up this season of late, with goals in three straight games recently, after a terribly slow start. But it still could be that his time with the Leafs has run its course. The Kraken would be getting a potential sniper who is still young (23) and can grow with the team. He'd be given more opportunity than he has gotten in Toronto. As Doerrie notes, he's the kind of talented young player the Kraken have already shown an affinity to taking on this season—"players who are out of favor with their clubs", a la Kaapo Kakko. Photo: © Danny Wild-Imagn Images...

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