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Arguably the Kraken's most important forward, Gourde has recorded back-to-back 48-point campaigns while playing some of the toughest defensive minutes on the team. Last year, he was able to skate in 81 contests while adding a career-high 118 hits and 76 PIM along with a plus-23 rating. The peripheral numbers may drop off a bit in 2023-24, but Gourde is almost a sure bet to play more than his third-line role would suggest. He had just one shorthanded point, a goal, last campaign, but he could make some noise on the penalty kill while providing solid play in all zones and situations. The sandpaper in his game should help put him on the fantasy radar as a late-round selection in standard formats this fall.
Gourde was one of the biggest names selected by the Kraken in their expansion draft and he delivered in the franchise's first season. He topped the 20-goal mark (21) for the third time in five years, in addition to finishing with exactly 48 points for the second time in four seasons. Gourde missed Seattle's first four games of the year with a shoulder issue before playing in 74 of 78 contests the rest of the way. There doesn't seem to be much upside here from a fantasy perspective, but Gourde's numbers from a season ago are a good barometer regarding what to expect from him moving forward, and that's a player worthy of a draft pick in deeper formats.
One of the bigger names selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft, Gourde brings a championship resume from his four-plus seasons with the Lightning. The 29-year-old peaked at 64 points in 2017-18, but he's reached the 30-point mark in each of the last four seasons while providing a physical edge and positional versatility. The Quebec native likely would have challenged for Seattle's No. 1 center job, but offseason shoulder surgery is likely to force him to miss at least the first 4-6 weeks of the regular season. With roughly just three quarters of a season to work with, Gourde probably shouldn't be counted on for more than 40 points, and he could fall to the late rounds in fantasy drafts. Managers could do worse than stashing him on injured reserve as a late pick.
Gourde's offense declined for the second straight year in 2019-20, as the Quebec-born center had only 30 points in 70 appearances. In 2017-18, Gourde racked up 64 points, but his production dipped to 48 a year later. Entering 2020-21, the 29-year-old forward should be expected to see a slight rebound. It's quite possible Gourde clocks in at around 30 points and 80 hits even with a shortened 56-game campaign on the docket. He should also provide modest contributions on the power play and penalty kill, as an all-situations option who can play just about anywhere the Lightning need him to. Fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to add him with a late-round pick in deeper formats.
Gourde suffered through a sophomore slump last season, falling from 25 goals and 64 points in 2017-18 to 22 and 48, respectively, in 2018-19. We wish we could say it was because he was dropped off a scoring line, but that wasn't the case. His two centers (Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point) each delivered more than 92 points each. Gourde couldn't sustain his white-hot start (21 points in his first 22 games), and put up just five goals and six assists in the next 34 contests. Yes, his last 24 games were better -- he delivered 16 points -- but Gourde never got back to the lofty expectations he set at the start of the year, and he probably won't ever get back to his rookie production. However, Gourde will be a 50-55 point, second-line winger who gets time on the second power-play unit, and should also deliver about 20 goals, give or take.
In any other season, Gourde's superb rookie campaign probably would have guided him to the Calder Trophy, but not in 2017-18 with guys like Brock Boeser, Mathew Barzal and Clayton Keller patrolling the ice. Now 26 years old, Gourde delivered 25 goals (fourth-best among rookies) and 64 points, including 13 on the power play. Despite being generously listed at 5-foot-9 and 172 pounds, he's absolutely fearless in corners and in front of the net. An offensive drop off is possible since it will be difficult for Gourde to repeat his 18.4 shooting percentage. Still, count on 50-55 points -- including another 25 goals -- in 2018-19. He'll help your team.
