There have been recent rumors linking a two-time Stanley Cup champion to the Leafs, and now Pierre LeBrun revealed that this player would waive his no-trade clause. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Yanni <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/espn-analyst-believes-leafs-could-possibly-target-seattle-kraken-alternate-captain' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Gourde is willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to become a Toronto Maple Leaf</a>, and he would fill what has been the most glaring hole in the Leafs for some time: their need for an upgrade at center. Adding Yanni Gourde would go a long way toward improving the team for Toronto. He helped the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/lightning/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Tampa Bay Lightning</a> win their championships. By the sounds of it, this 33-year-old forward would fit perfectly into the third-line center for <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Leafs</a>. Pierre LeBrun mentioned in 'The Athletic' something that should get Leafs fans excited. You can see below. If indeed Gourde is moved, my matchmaking crystal ball has him landing with Toronto because he fits the criteria of what the Leafs need as far as a third-line center upgrade. He won two Stanley Cup championships with the Lightning and plays the kind of game that translates come playoff time. He's got a modified no-trade, but my understanding is he would have no issue with a move to the Leafs. And he's the kind of player general manager Brad Treliving appreciates - not shying away from the rough-and-tumble hockey played in playoffs. - The Athletic, Pierre LeBrun <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1864131185124729048'> </a></blockquote></div> While breaking up their top stars might alleviate Toronto's depth issues in the short term, acquiring Gourde provides a long-term solution. He has experience with 83 playoff games, where he scored 20 goals and had 42 points, showing his ability to rise to big occasions. With experience as a bottom-six contributor on a championship team, <a href='https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-krakens-yanni-gourde-would-have-no-issue-with-trade-to-maple-leafs-ahead-of-trade-deadline' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Gourde fits perfectly for Toronto's postseason aspirations</a>. Gourde's $5.16M cap hit over the next two years isn't that unreasonable. Moving players like David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok to make room for him is a justifiable trade-off. He would also force Fraser Minten, Max Domi, or Pontus Holmberg into more fourth-line roles in terms of making for a much more balanced roster. For Domi, who had an underwhelming season, flipping to the wing, or even reserve role, could go some way to alleviate expectations and make the team's dynamic better. It would likely cost the Leafs a draft pick or a B-level prospect to get <a href='https://www.nhl.com/kraken/player/yanni-gourde-8476826' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Gourde</a>, but his playoff pedigree is worth it. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BTWSEA/status/1839790699505693012'> </a></blockquote></div> With the trade deadline looming and other teams sniffing around, Leafs GM Brad Treliving needs to dive into the fray and pluck Gourde before things start getting hot. That kind of player could very well be the difference-maker in changing the Toronto playoff outcome.