[citation needed] Gourde was returned to the Crunch after competing in the Lightning's training camp to begin the 2015–16 season.

[6] He continued his scoring pace from the previous season and placed third amongst the team points when he received his first NHL recall to the Lightning on December 14, 2015.

[8] On December 15, 2015, Gourde made his NHL debut in a 5–4 overtime Lightning win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[18][19] On April 12, Gourde made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in a 5–2 Lightning home win against the New Jersey Devils.

[22] On March 22, 2019, Gourde was suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head of Carolina Hurricanes' captain Jordan Staal at PNC Arena the previous night.

[24] Following the draft, it was announced that Gourde was expected to miss the first two months of the 2021–22 NHL season to recover from shoulder surgery.

[25] While sidelined, Gourde was named an alternate captain for the Kraken alongside Jordan Eberle, Adam Larsson, and Jaden Schwartz.

[26] He eventually made his season debut on October 19 where he played on the top line with Schwartz and Eberle against the New Jersey Devils.

Gourde scored an overtime goal against the Dallas Stars in the second round of the playoffs, getting the Kraken a 5–4 win and a 1–0 series lead.