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.

Oliver and Yanni were tremendous players for our organization who led by example on and off the ice, and I wish them all the best."

The Seattle Kraken got some good news before their Tuesday night assignment at home versus the visiting Minnesota Wild, with the team announcing the return of veteran forward Yanni Gourde to the lineup.

Although he is currently injured, Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde should return before the trade deadline -- and he's a top trade chip.

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.

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.

Yanni Gourde returned to the lineup as the Seattle Kraken hosted the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena. Fans, family in attendance, and teammates were ecstatic to have the powerhouse forward back on home ice after being on IR for nearly two months.