NHL Rumors: 3 Tampa Bay Lightning Contract Extension Candidates

The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline saw several teams make moves, and the league looks far different now. Yet, now that the deadline has passed, we won’t see any more trades until after the season. Although this is the case, we still could see teams sign players to contract extensions. As a result, we here at NHLTR will be going over three contract extension candidates from each team.

In this latest edition of the series, let's take a look at the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Yanni Gourde

The Lightning brought back Gourde at the trade deadline from the Seattle Kraken, and it's a decision they must be happy about. The 33-year-old forward has had a nice start to his second stint with the Bolts, posting one goal, 11 assists, and a plus-5 rating in 16 games. With this, it would not be surprising if the Lightning tried to extend the pending unrestricted free agent.

Gage Goncalves

Goncalves is a young forward who the Lightning will likely keep around beyond this season. The 24-year-old has appeared in 55 games this season with the Bolts, where he has six goals, 16 points, and a plus-5 rating. However, he has noticeably improved down the stretch, recording 14 points in his last 28 games. The pending restricted free agent is starting to adjust to the NHL, and the Lightning should look to extend him because of it.

Nicklaus Perbix

Perbix is another player the Lightning could look to extend. The right-shot defenseman is a pending UFA who would get plenty of attention if he hits the market, but the Lightning should try to make that not happen. In 69 games this season, the 6-foot-4 blueliner has five goals, 18 points, and a plus-7 rating.