The Tampa Bay Lightning had a very quiet offseason by most standards. They made few free agent signings. They made fewer still with the idea in mind of the signees playing NHL games for the Lightning this season. The message from the front office couldn’t be more clear, there is a true belief in this team and in this lineup, and one that sees the path to success already laid out before them.
The biggest additions to the team however won’t be coming from this offseason at all, but from last year’s trade deadline. The additions of full and healthy seasons from Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
These pseudo offseason adds are the real big additions to the Lightning going into this season. Yanni Gourde signed with the Lightning for six years. Oliver Bjorkstrand still signed on for one more year of his contract, and ready for his first full healthy season with the Bolts.
Yanni Gourde
Gourde doesn’t need much introduction to most Lightning fans. A part of Tampa’s back to back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, Gourde was a fan favourite for his work ethic and tenacity, all despite being undersized for NHL standards. It isn’t 100% clear yet what role is in store for Yanni Gourde’s return to Tampa Bay, especially with Nick Paul out of the lineup for the first month of the season, but his adjustment back took little time after the trade deadline last year, and you bet it will take little time again to start the new season.
Gourde will likely center the third line to start the season, at least until Nick Paul’s return, and should provide an excellent supporting spark to whomever he lines up beside. Gourde won’t bring the all star caliber offence that is to be expected from the Lightning’s top lines, but Tampa fans already know that’s not where Gourde shines. As to not beat around the bush, Gourde has that dog in him. The drive, the effort, the willingness, that something that Tampa Bay has maybe lacked in their post season runs since their last cup. In any case, Gourde’s reunion in Tampa Bay should provide them much needed support and leadership in their bottom six.
Oliver Bjorkstrand
The addition of Oliver Bjorkstrand at last season’s trade deadline came to a disappointing end for all. During the final stretch of games heading towards the playoffs, Bjorkstrand sustained an injury that required surgery and kept him out of the lineup during the playoffs. One successful surgery and a full offseason later, Bjorkstrand is back with the team and is ready to go. Bjorkstrand has looked very good early thus far through training camp and pre-season games, with 2 goals and 2 assists in the 3 games he has played so far. Beyond putting the puck in the back of the net himself, he has been fast and smart, doing well creating plays and scoring chances off the rush, and being a contributor early to Tampa’s number one powerplay.
Goal scoring comes naturally to Bjorkstrand, as he goes into next season with four straight 20+ goal years, and if we count his 18 goals in 56 games during the shortened 2021 season as a 20 goal pace, then he has scored 20+ in seven straight seasons. Bjorkstrand will have another great opportunity to do it again, as Bjorkstrand has been practicing amongst Tampa’s first powerplay unit, and whether he plays 2nd or 3rd line minutes, he will get plenty of looks and opportunities. This will certainly be the most offensively talented lineup that Bjorkstrand has ever played amongst, so don’t be surprised if the perennial 20 goal scorer notches 30 for the first time in his career.
Conclusion
Tampa Bay’s bottom six depth has been subject to scrutiny over the last couple seasons, but it may now be the best it has been since their last Cup run in 2022. Bjorkstrand and Gourde not only provide more scoring depth, but additional veteran presence and leadership for some of the younger players who may earn looks on Tampa’s bottom six throughout the season. Between Gourde’s defensive play and Bjorkstrand’s offensive talent, Tampa is running into next season with two key pieces that they did not have most of last year.
