In a move that has sparked intense debate among NHL fans, the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2022 trade of key players Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde has come under renewed scrutiny. The trade, which sent Bjorkstrand to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Gourde to the Seattle Kraken, was seen as a bold attempt by the Lightning to shake up their roster and bolster their chances of repeating as Stanley Cup champions. However, the team ultimately fell short of their goal, finishing with a disappointing 107 points in the 2022-23 season. Now, as the Lightning look to rebuild and recharge for the future, fans and analysts are re-examining the decision to trade away two key contributors, and wondering if it was a move that ultimately cost the team a championship.

Revisiting Lightning’s Trade for Oliver Bjorkstrand & Yanni Gourde  The Hockey Writers