Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand waited for three hours — until two players cleared waivers for the Lightning — before they could be informed they were heading to Tampa Bay as the main pieces of a three-team trade that also included the Red Wings.

The Lighting paid a steep price — two first-round picks — for Gourde and Bjorkstrand but they're two players who should fit in perfectly.

To complete the deal, Tampa Bay sends forward Michael Eyssimont, a first-round draft pick in 2026, a first-round draft pick in 2027 and Toronto's second-round draft pick in 2025