Lightning Have Clear Move To Make With Breakout Forward

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gage Goncalves proved this season that he is ready for the NHL level. After starting the campaign with just two points in his first 27 games, Goncalves finished the campaign with 18 points in his final 33 regular-season games. He was also impactful in the Bolts' short playoff run, posting one goal and four points in five games.

Overall, Goncalves had a solid rookie season for the Lightning and emerged as a nice part of their forward group in the process. Due to this, it is absolutely apparent that the Lightning must re-sign the 24-year-old forward this offseason.

Goncalves is a pending restricted free agent, so he will still be under team control this summer. However, given how well he performed down the stretch for the Lightning, it would be wise for them to lock him up on his next contract as soon as possible.

Goncalves demonstrated this season that he is capable of providing solid secondary offensive production. When noting that he is still young and getting used to the NHL level, there is clear reason to believe that he can hit another new level next season. Due to this, getting him signed to his next contract should be one of the Lightning's top priorities from here.

Lightning felt growth in 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup against Florida

Multiple members of the Lightning locker room on Friday said they felt this year’s playoff matchup with the Panthers was a tighter series than in 2024.

Cooper said this year’s team was close, and he liked most of their playoff performance.

"Whether it was getting the timely goal or having an opportunity to get the timely goal, it didn't happen for us,” Cooper said. “When you advance, those things happen, and it wasn't for lack of effort. For whatever reason it wasn't our time this year, and that's what's tough…this was a special group, and to go out in five games was something I don't think any of us imagined, expected, but it happens.”

His captain agreed.

“I think this series felt different than last year, felt a lot closer,” Victor Hedman said. “Obviously you look at Game 2, 1-0 game. Game 3 we win, Game 4 we’re still in disbelief over that one. But at the end of the day they're winners as well and kind of feel like we felt five years ago or four years ago. They find ways to win. That's what good teams do.”

While defenseman Ryan McDonagh wasn’t part of last year’s matchup, he said this year’s series felt pretty even.

"In our minds it was closer than a five-game series,” McDonagh said. “There’s certainly things you wish you did better, and a lot of things you liked, too. ...That's the nature of playoffs. It’s close, it's tight, and you need high execution from from everybody in your lineup at different points. Ultimately, we came up short.”