Toronto Maple Leafs Lose Out On Another Key Trade Piece
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to find another trade target for their third line center as Yanni Gourde, a top candidate, underwent surgery and won't be available.
There are no shortage of options for the Maple Leafs to choose from when it comes to who they are going to add before or on the March 7 trade deadline. Do they make a big splash like Carolina did with the Mikko Rantanen trade? Or does the team add a few smaller depth pieces for insurance?
One player who was heavily considered a favorite for the Maple Leafs is Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde. While a bit expensive, he offers everything Craig Berube needs to make his lineup much stronger.
But given the news out of Seattle, it looks like the Leafs are going to need to cross him off the list.
Yanni Gourde Undergoes Surgery; Toronto Loses Top Trade Target
With Gourde being out five to seven weeks, it really destroys any trade value he would have had for the Kraken, and is not going to play before the deadline, so Toronto has no reason to take him on.
Sports hernia surgery is no joke, just ask Calle Jarnkrok; and the recovery window varies from player to player. It could be five weeks, it might be double that if he's not comfortable.
Gourde has been linked to the Maple Leafs for a majority of the season, and seemed interested in a partnership, as it was reported he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause for a chance to play with Toronto.
It would have been a great addition for the Maple Leafs, as Gourde would have given the team a bit more offense, fantastic defense down the middle, a relentless engine, and he's a two-time Stanley Cup winner with Tampa Bay.
This season, Gourde has six goals and 10 assists in 35 games for the Kraken, and is a free agent at season's end.
Toronto needs to shift gears now, and while they have several other options on the market, the loss of Gourde is a big blow to someone who could have certainly made an impact.
It's another name crossed off a list that is slowly dwindling for Brad Treliving.
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