After a quick first-round playoff exit, the Tampa Bay Lightning are entering what should be a busy off-season. The Lightning have multiple pending free agents heading into the summer, and one of them is veteran forward Luke Glendening.
Glendening, 36, just completed the two-year, $1.6 million contract he signed with the Lightning during the 2023 NHL off-season. Because of this, he can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and the Lightning now must decide if he is a player they want to keep around or let walk.
Glendening was a mainstay on the Lightning's fourth line this campaign and also received time on their penalty kill because of his defensive play. In 77 games this season with the Bolts, he had four goals, seven points, 58 blocks, and 105 hits. He also recorded one goal, one assist, and 13 hits in five post-season games for the Lightning this year.
Overall, if Glendening is willing to stick around at a cheap price, the Lightning could consider keeping him around for their 4C role or even as their 13th forward. However, it would also be understandable if Lightning management wants to make changes to their bottom six after how the playoffs went for them this time around.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to find out what Glendening's future with the Lightning will be. In 158 games over two seasons as a Bolt, he has 14 goals, 18 points, and 226 hits.
3 Lightning Who Could Get Contract Extensions Next
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a move on May 7, signing goaltender Jonas Johansson to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.25 million. With this, the 29-year-old will remain the Lightning's backup goaltender moving forward.
The Lightning still have multiple other players with expiring contracts, so let's look at three pending free agents who they could sign to contract extensions next.
- Yanni Gourde
- Gage Goncalves
- Nick Perbix
