It was a big question on the mind of Bolts faithful as the clock struck noon on Tuesday, but Lightning fans can rest easy as Gage Goncalves is locked in for at least another two years. The Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday announced that they signed the 24-year old forward to a two-year contract with $1.2 million AAV.
Goncalves started his career with the Lightning organization when they signed him in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft. He made his NHL debut with Tampa Bay on January 11, 2024 when the Lightning hosted the New Jersey Devils.
Over the course of his Lightning career, he has skated in 62 games, accumulating 8 goals, 12 assists, 20 total points, and is +7 on his career, with an average 12:42 on ice.
Goncalves scored the game-winning goal for the Lightning in a shootout against the Dallas Starts on March 20th. He scored the winner in the fourth round of the shootout.
The 6’1” forward from Mission, British, Columbia, CAN appeared in his first Stanley Cup playoffs as well in 2025. He recorded an assist in his playoff debut on April 22, 2025, which was game one of the series against the Panthers.
He played in all five of the Lightning’s playoff games and combined for four points (one goal, three assists, four points). That tied Nikita Kucherov for the second-most points among Lightning players. He also ranked second in the organization for hits.
Goncalves was set to hit the free agency market if the Lightning did not re-sign him, but on Tuesday when the clock struck noon, the Lightning confirmed that the strong young forward wasn’t going anywhere and that they had re-signed him to the two-year deal.
Goncalves spoke to the media after the announcement was made and he explained how much this day meant to him.
“All we’ve ever kind of known is Tampa and Syracuse and the way the development staff is and everybody in that organization,” said Goncalves. “It really means a lot to sign this deal with them, and hopefully I can just keep growing as a player and kind of as a person in Tampa,” he stated.
He noted that his goals this offseason are to work on his shooting skills and becoming more of a dual threat on the ice to contribute more to the team, showing how much this Lightning team does mean to him.
He specifically talked about Nick Paul as well, describing him as a player who has been like an older brother to him, helping him with his development and talking with him throughout the year to help him improve or answer any questions he may have.
With today’s signing, Goncalves will remain a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning for at least the next two years.