Pierre LeBrun Links Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion to Help the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Playoffs
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The renowned insider Pierre LeBrun linked the two-time Stanley Cup champion Yanni Gourde to the Toronto Maple Leafs to help them in the playoffs.
It's no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs have been facing adversity in the playoffs. They won only one round in the last 20 years, and to help his team get out of that slump, General Manager Brad Treliving seems poised to make a move by the trade deadline.
As we saw with the Leafs' summer acquisitions such as Anthony Stolarz, Steven Lorentz, Chris Tanev, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Treliving seems to target players who succeeded in playoffs.
In a recent paper on The Athletic, Pierre LeBrun revealed that the Maple Leafs should go after Yanni Gourde on the trade market.
In LeBrun's words:
"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."
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."
Gourde won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and currently plays for the Seattle Kraken.
In 32 games this season, the 33-year-old forward scored five goals and ten assists.
There's no doubt that a guy like him could play a valuable role in the Leafs' bottom six.
The veteran is currently in the final season of his six-year, $5,166,667 AAV contract. With LeBrun confirming that Gourde would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to join the Leafs, fans are hoping that Treliving will take the opportunity.
As for the Kraken, we believe they could be interested in parting ways with him for the right offer.
They recently acquired the young forward Kaapo Kakko from the Rangers and could be tempted to make a similar deal involving the Leafs' struggling prospect Nicholas Robertson.
Do you think the Leafs should trade Nick Robertson for Yanni Gourde? Let us know your opinion in the comments!
Do you think the Leafs should trade Nick Robertson for Yanni Gourde? Let us know your opinion in the comments!
Previously on Bladeofsteel
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 123 ANSWERS Pierre LeBrun Links Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion to Help the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Playoffs Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs should go after Yanni Gourde on the trade market? | ||
| Yes | 76 | 61.8 % |
| No | 47 | 38.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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