GM Brad Treliving needs to get a true 3C on his team to turn things around, and the Seattle Kraken's Yanni Gourde has popped up as a potential candidate.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a serious lack of production from the bottom half of their lineup. From the ice-cold Nick Robertson to the constant shuffling of players between the third and fourth lines, nothing has looked consistent whatsoever. Something needs to change in Toronto and they need to find a true third-line center to at least try and kickstart some success.
Luckily for Brad Treliving and Toronto, Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde's name has emerged as a trade candidate as the Kraken look for defensive help due to their ailing blueline.
Gourde is a free agent at the end of this season, but if he were to be acquired by the Maple Leafs, a good enough season with the blue and white could end up with him finding a deal come summertime with the club. Off to a slow start, Gourde has been a solid bottom-six contributor for his entire career, averaging 19 goals and 47 points per 82-game average.
A three-time 20-goal scorer, Gourde would provide Toronto with the offensive help they seek plus give them a gritty, tough defensive center who isn't afraid to drop the gloves or throw his small frame around; averaging nearly 96 hits per season for his career.
A fantastic penalty killer as well, Gourde would help Toronto with their PK and make it even more potent than it already is (now only if they could stop taking so many unnecessary penalties, that would be nice). Unfortunately, Gourde does come with a $5.7M cap hit although Toronto would more than likely request for salary retention, then perhaps throw Nick Robertson and Matt Benning in a package for Gourde and some picks. It may take a bit of time to get the right pieces together, but Treliving has them and needs to use them.
Yanni Gourde's NHL career has been one that has quietly shown that you can be both an offensive catalyst as well as an intimidating factor in the bottom half of the lineup. He's the hybrid player Toronto needs; a jack of all trades. If Brad Treliving can convince Seattle to part with their veteran center, it's a coup for the Maple Leafs and could be the best move he's made this season.
