What Happened
Yanni Gourde played his first game of the season for the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 8 in Winnipeg, coming back from hip surgery performed over the summer. In September, the club's expectation was that the 34-year-old forward would be sidelined until December. He opened his 12th NHL season on the second line with Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel. According to Pro Hockey Rumors, the lineup news was first reported by Benjamin Pierce, the team's manager of media relations.
Key Details
- Gourde had hip surgery in the summer and was projected in September to return around December.
- He debuted on Tampa Bay's second line alongside Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel.
- The undrafted forward is in Year 12 and rejoined Tampa Bay after 3 1/2 years with Seattle.
- Gourde appeared in all 82 games last season, posting 28 points and 115 hits.
- Tampa Bay took an 11-3-2 record into the game after an offseason that added John Carlson.
What It Means
Getting Gourde back early deepens a Tampa Bay forward group that Pro Hockey Rumors describes as one of the league's strongest top-nines. He is no longer counted on to drive the same level of offense he once did, but his 82-game durability and heavy hit totals give the middle six a physical, veteran presence during a strong start to the season.