Quoting: TheThunder
Why does Gourde waive his full NTC Philly?
TB will have to shed salary, Johnson and Gourde are likely, Kilhorn also a possibility. TB is almost 10mil over cap. There are few viable contending options available, but PHI (2nd round Game 6 loss last year, winning season but league worst goals against this season), is quite close to a real contender. Lots of talented youth with Farabee, TK, Frost, Allison, Provorov, Sanheim, Myers, Cam York and solid vets in Voracek, Giroux, Coots. Also, if JVR gets picked in expansion, as above, gourde can see 1st or 2nd line time. Gourde playing with real talent on a contending team uis why he might accept.
PHI was undone by regression in hart, sanheim and myers and almost all of their youth, but still was a real contender going into season and finished strong. Theyre closer to the 2nd round losing squad of last yr, then the non-playoff one of this year.