The Toronto Maple Leafs must avoid trading for Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde at all costs at this year’s trade deadline.
Gourde has been rumoured to be on the Toronto Maple Leafs radar for quite a while now. With the Leafs need for centre depth being one of the worst-kept secrets in the league, it’s only natural that Toronto would be linked to a player like Gourde.
However, now is not the best time for the Leafs to look into acquiring Gourde. The main reason is the fact that he’s coming off surgery for a sports hernia. The 33-year-old went under the knife on January 31 and was expected to miss between five to seven weeks.
As such, the expected timetable for Gourde’s return is March 8, according to PuckPedia. If that’s indeed the case, adding Gourde to the lineup would be an exercise in wishful thinking as there is no guarantee he would even be healthy for the end of the season.
While you might think that adding Gourde is more about postseason depth, the fact is that the Leafs need that centre depth now. With the lineup awfully thin down the middle beyond Auston Matthews and John Tavares, the need is now.
I would agree with adding Gourde as playoff insurance if the Leafs were in a solid position at centre. However, they are not, making the need for a centre much more pressing down the final stretch of the season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Could Consider Gourde in Offseason Move
Regardless of what happens in the playoffs this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs could consider kicking the tires on Gourde in the offseason. By then, the Leafs will have a good idea of what they can expect from Gourde.
If he’s fully healthy, the Leafs could get themselves a solid 3C to complement Matthews and whoever lines up behind him. Otherwise, the Leafs can pass on Gourde and see what other options may be available.
There’s another powerful reason why the Leafs should pass on Gourde at this year’s deadline. The Kraken will likely try to gouge the Leafs in a deal for Gourde. Now, paying a hefty price for a highly valuable player is something worth considering. But pointing out how Gourde may not even play due to injury, it’s just best for the Leafs to sidestep the entire situation.
Given the pressure GM Brad Treliving is currently facing, a deal will happen sooner or later. But the team must tread lightly. Making deals for the sake of it can often lead to disastrous consequences. If the aim is to make a splash, it should be for a player that truly adds value to the team.
As the March 7 deadline approaches, fans should keep an eye on under-the-radar moves. There’s a chance the Leafs surprise people by making unexpected, if mildly desperate moves.
One thing we know for sure: they need to make a major addition on par with the Rangers getting Miller and the Hurricanes getting Rantanen. Yanni Gourde, healthy or not, just isn't cutting it at that level.