BOLTS BRING IN BJORKSTRAND, GOURDE

In a three-team trade, the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired winger Oliver Bjorkstrand, center Yanni Gourde and a fifth-round draft pick in 2026 from the Seattle Kraken, and defenseman Kyle Aucoin from the Detroit Red Wings; Seattle acquired forward Michael Eyssimont, a second-round draft pick in 2025, a conditional first-round draft pick in 2026 and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2027 from the Lightning; and Detroit acquired a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2025 from the Lightning.

What does it give the Tampa Bay Lightning
This is a bigger trade than what it looks like on the surface, mostly because the price Tampa Bay paid to acquire Bjorkstrand and Gourde is astronomical! Tampa Bay is getting Gourde with significant salary retention, but also Bjorkstrand at his full cap hit. Adding two forwards makes Tampa Bay far more dangerous now, but did they pay too much? Do they have any assets left to deal for more help? Do they have any cap space left? Tampa Bay seems to have moved all of their chips in the middle of the table; They are going for it!

What does it give the Seattle Kraken
For Seattle, this is an outstanding return for two solid veteran forwards. Gourde was a pending unrestricted free agent, so moving on from him at this time makes a ton of sense; the Kraken are not in playoff contention at this time. As for Bjorkstrand, he is a very solid scoring winger but Seattle has plenty of depth up front. They have a lot of similar players, so Eyssimont's agitating style should be a welcomed addition. Two first-round picks (though both are top-10 protected) for the future and a second-rounder this year is an incredible haul.

What does it give the
This trade needed a third team involved because Gourde's contract required greater than 50 percent retention. Enter the Red Wings, who were able to finagle a conditional fourth-round pick from the Lightning for their troubles. Detroit will receive the highest pick between Tampa Bay and Edmonton's fourth-rounders in this year's draft. As for Aucoin, who was sent to Tampa Bay to complete this complicated transaction, he is a 22-year-old un-signed defense prospect without much of an NHL future. The Wings will not miss him at all.

Fantasy impact
In fantasy terms, Bjorkstrand should be the big winner here. Expect him to immediately become a top-six winger in Tampa Bay (that is why he is being brought in), but his impact may be determined by his power-play usage. If he can make his way onto the first unit, he could make a big impact down the stretch. He is a good trade target in many fantasy leagues at this time. Gourde's value is far greater in real life than in fantasy leagues, while Eyssimont is unlikely to play a top-six forward role with his new team. There is no need to pick him up. Aucoin is not a fantasy prospect at all.