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.

As Tampa Bay was winning a pair of Stanley Cups, it was the 5-foot-9 Yanni Gourde who often energized the Amalie Arena crowd.

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