Report: Yanni Gourde would be willing to waive his M-NTC for the Maple Leafs

[Hellcat]

MSN

I think this would be an interesting addition.

Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde would reportedly be open to waiving his modified no-trade clause (M-NTC) for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Athletic conducted an NHL trade matchmaker, and Gourde was included among the players on the list. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun picked the Leafs as the perfect fit, noting that the centre would be willing to go to Toronto if the Kraken opted to ship him out.

It remains to be seen whether the Kraken will actually make Gourde available ahead of the deadline. You may remember a year ago at this time, Jordan Eberle’s name was bandied about quite a bit because he was a pending unrestricted free agent and the Kraken weren’t playoff-bound. But instead of moving him, the Kraken signed Eberle to a contract extension to remove him from the trade market. Seattle now needs to make a decision on Gourde, and as of writing this, there haven’t been any contract discussions. If indeed Gourde is moved, my matchmaking crystal ball has him landing with Toronto because he fits the criteria of what the Leafs need as far as a third-line center upgrade. He won two Stanley Cup championships with the Lightning and plays the kind of game that translates come playoff time. He’s got a modified no-trade, but my understanding is he would have no issue with a move to the Leafs. And he’s the kind of player general manager Brad Treliving appreciates — not shying away from the rough-and-tumble hockey played in playoffs.

An obvious caveat is that this all depends on what Seattle plans on doing with the 33-year-old as last season saw Jordan Eberle on the block but was suddenly extended right before the deadline. It is also dependent on how the season goes for the Kraken in the latter half, though they sit eight points out of the final Wild Card spot in the West at the time of filing.


With reports that Gourde has not had many extension talks with the Kraken and is mired in a five-game losing streak, it seems logical that they could be open to selling off parts of their roster as the season progresses. They have already shipped away pending UFA Will Borgen to bring back Kaapo Kakko, and there could be more moves with the future in mind on the way in Seattle.

Since Gourde is willing to waive his M-NTC for the Leafs and the team requires bolstering its depth up the middle, the two teams seem like logical trade partners. GM Brad Treliving has made it known he wants to get a third-line centre, and the team has been reportedly looking to find one since the start of training camp. Toronto and Seattle seem like logical trade partners in this endeavour, with the only question remaining being how much it would cost to get Gourde.

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[DitchMarner]

He was a really good middle-six guy with Tampa. I think he's fallen off a bit since the early 2020s. I'd still prefer him to guys like Holmberg and Kampf, though.

 

[1specter]

His experience and skillset is very solid but he's definitely past his prime and is also smaller. Would be hesitant to trade any significant assets.

 

[Budz]

Would prefer someone else.

 

[therealkoho]

Yeah yeah two SC's, but those are team accomplishments, his last two seasons haven't bee exactly great 14 goals and followed by 11 last year and he's on much the same trajectory this year and then theres' this 5'9" 170.

Is he going to be the difference maker the Leafs need?

 

[The Shadow]

Will it be a sellers market? A lot of teams are in the running for a playoff spot and there will be high demand for pending UFAs that can make a difference to a lineup

 

[Roo]

no thanks

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Would prefer someone else.

There isn't a better option available

 

[Budz]

There isn't a better option available

Oh hey Brad. Thanks for weighing in.

Oh and… BS.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Oh hey Brad. Thanks for weighing in.

Oh and… BS.

Name the better option

 

[Budz]

Name the better option

Well, for one I don’t pretend I am a GM.
Second, I don’t believe everything I read.

I stand by the assessment that Gourde (while better then what we have), does not move the needle enough.

Would also prefer a non ufa. I would also be willing to pay significant assets for a Centre with term.

Brock Nelson is my “who is better” if I have to choose a UFA.

 

[thewave]

Nah

 

[Evilhomer]

There isn't a better option available

Brock Nelson

 

[MSZ]

If Seattle is willing to sell him low...

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Brock Nelson

Probably the closest one but he's got 0 rings.

 

[TMLAM34]

Not my top choice, but if he’s the best we can get, he’s a better option than guys like Holmberg and Dewar…

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

It was suggested by Pierre LeBrun of all people - out of nowhere, unprovoked. So, as a famous hater of the blue and white, It's clearly just a sabotage move to limit expectations on a Leaf trade target this year - and therefore, I hate it on its face for that reason. Hahaaaa...

 

[Stephen]

Yanni Gourde would be like Alex Kerfoot with sandpaper and bite. He definitely would have been a huge upgrade on Kerfoot during those early 2020s teams but it feels like we'd be acquiring intangibles and reputation to compensate for the lack of it at the top of the roster. He's 33 and 5'9" 170 pounds. I don't think a good pro scouting staff would go over a retread like this and should be looking for the next Gourde, next Goodrow, next Coleman, etc.

 

[Burnie97]

If the price is right he could be a solid pickup.

 

[LeafSteel]

Not interested.

If you are moving assets, I’d prefer someone younger and with some potential.

Would be interested in a player like Morgan Frost, with the ideal being Brock Nelson but thinking at is more a UFA move to make.

Adding a player like Morgan frost and Connor Murphy for RHD make us better without a huge price tag.

Gourde just doesn’t move the needle enough for me.

 

[Menzinger]

He's probably quite affordable and he wouldn't be out of place having to play as a 2c if injuries hit.

Interestingly currently has 62% D-zone starts

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Let's see what price Seattle wants...

 

[Stephen]

Not interested.

If you are moving assets, I’d prefer someone younger and with some potential.

Would be interested in a player like Morgan Frost, with the ideal being Brock Nelson but thinking at is more a UFA move to make.

Adding a player like Morgan frost and Connor Murphy for RHD make us better without a huge price tag.

Gourde just doesn’t move the needle enough for me.

Adding more big, stay at home D is not a bad idea... it's a cost effective player type and there's only 6 D spots, so if you can reinforce the top 6 with a good 7th, you're going to have a good weak link game on the back end that can help you weather some storms in a playoff game/series. Won't be a game changing acquisition, since the premise is we already have those in Auston, Mitch, Willie and John.

 

[Stephen]

He's probably quite affordable and he wouldn't be out of place having to play as a 2c if injuries hit.

Interestingly currently has 62% D-zone starts

I feel like it might have a Plekanec-y impact. Which is none.

 

[LeafSteel]

Adding more big, stay at home D is not a bad idea... it's a cost effective player type and there's only 6 D spots, so if you can reinforce the top 6 with a good 7th, you're going to have a good weak link game on the back end that can help you weather some storms in a playoff game/series. Won't be a game changing acquisition, since the premise is we already have those in Auston, Mitch, Willie and John.

Having a set top pairing of McCabe and Tanev makes it easier to add a RHD to play with Rielly and keep OEL on LHD.

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Murphy
OEL-Timmins

I’d be very comfortable with that defence in the playoffs, and I think OEL would shred against weaker 3rd and 4th line opponents.