The Seattle Kraken needed to make a cap-saving roster move assuming they activate forward Jordan Eberle from the LTIR for their game tomorrow night against the Florida Panthers. Seattle made the transaction today, announcing they’ve moved forward Yanni Gourde to the LTIR and recalled defenseman Cale Fleury from their AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Gourde is still recovering from a sports hernia injury that could keep him out past the trade deadline. The popular trade target is in the last season of a six-year, $31MM contract originally signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018.
Given his status as a pending unrestricted free agent, the Kraken’s ability to retain up to 50% of his salary, and Gourde’s solid work as a defensively minded center, it was almost a given that he would be moved at the deadline. Unfortunately, because he hasn’t seen game action since January 2nd and the likelihood of his recovery extending past the deadline, Seattle may be lucky to recoup even a mid-round pick for Gourde’s services.
Still, it wouldn’t be unheard of for a contending team to acquire an injured player. The Minnesota Wild traded a 2023 fifth-round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for then-injured forward Gustav Nyquist in 2023. Nyquist eventually joined the Wild with three games remaining in the regular season scoring one goal and five points. His point production carried into the playoffs tallying five assists in six games.
Only time will tell if Seattle pulls the trigger on a Gourde trade. A month into the 2024-25 season, the Kraken began receiving serious interest in Gourde, but general manager Ron Francis rebuffed those inquiries—a decision that has not aged well.
Fleury returns to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in two weeks. He’s been an oft-taxied defenseman for the Kraken this season who’ve surprisingly only had to waive him once because of serious salary cap-finagling. He’s tallied one assist in seven games averaging 12:20 of ice time throughout his fourth season with the organization.
For what it’s worth, Gourde practiced in a non contact jersey today. He might just make it back ahead of schedule.