Julien BriseBois’ could have one of the easiest summers of his tenure as Lightning general manager. Sure, he needs to find some depth scoring, make the team a little younger without sacrificing talent, and figure out what to do with Darren Raddysh and Nikita Kucherov, but at least he doesn’t have a lot of RFA’s to deal with. One additional task on his summer to-do list is decide if the Lightning are going to offer entry-level contracts to two of their recent draft picks.
The draft rights to Kayden Pitre and Jan Golicic expire on June 1, 2026. Believe it or not, that is not that far away. Should the Lightning decide not to sign them to an ELC, both players would become free agents. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened to their draft picks. Over the years, Sammy Walker, Cole Guttman, and Eamon Powell have all chosen the free agent path.
Pitre was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL draft and played most of his junior career with the Flint Firebirds before being traded to the North Bay Battalion. He finished the season with 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 37 games for the Battalion. Was it enough for the Lightning to sign him? The 20-year-old is a two-way center who plays a solid if unspectacular style of play.
Jan Golicic was also traded during the season, and of the two, is the one most likely to see a deal now that his season with Blainville-Boisbriand is over. The big defenseman, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, put up 29 points (4 goals, 25 assists) in 28 games following the trade, and has another 8 points (1 goal, 7 games) in 17 playoff games.
The Lightning don’t have a ton of prospects in their system (especially on defense), so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them ink both players to deals over the next couple of weeks. It is a two-way street, though, and if Pitre or Golicic decide their futures lay elsewhere, they may just outwait the Lightning and then go the free agent route.
Hockey News
Marco Mignosa commits to Penn State [Onward State]
There was a small chance that the right-shot forward was going to turn pro after a season in which he put up 89 points in 65 games, but it looks like the 21-year-old has decided to go the college route for now. It’s not the end of the world for the Lightning’s 7th-round pick from the 2025 draft, and it’s never a bad thing to have a prospect in a high-end college program.
Who is next in the Lightning pipeline [Tampa Bay Times]
Continuing with the theme of prospects, the Times looks at a couple of players that should be joining the organization soon, either at Syracuse, or possibly a direct route to the Lightning. Sam O’Reilly’s junior career is likely coming to an end this spring. Having just turned 20, he is eligible to join the Crunch next season, but how long will it be for? Benjamin Rautiainen has another season under contract with Tappara, but once that’s done, he should be on a quick path to the NHL as well.
Lightning attend Backlash in their home arena [Fightful]
Not going to lie, they look like they would rather be playing hockey than sitting in the stands in Benchmark International Arena.
Sunday Overreactions [Sportsnet]
Toronto trading the number one overall pick would make for some fun headlines, eh? Also, the Lightning’s situation gets a mention as well. It feels like an off-season where the Bolts will need Plans A, B, and C.
Steve Yzerman ranks eighth in Hockey News top teen sensations [The Hockey News]
The former Lightning GM was a pretty good hockey player once. Steven Stamkos also makes the list with his 95-point season at age 19.
Ottawa Charge heading to Walter Cup Final [PWHL]
It took a little bit more than a full overtime period, but Michela Cava’s goal early in the second period sent Ottawa into the final round. They’ll have to wait to find out who their opponent will be as Montreal and Minnesota are going to a Game 5 in their series.
PWHL won’t hold an expansion draft, choose alternative means of reallocating players [The Athletic]
It looks like the league is considering expanding up to four teams this summer, and with that many new spots to fill, it will take a unique, five-phase approach to doing it.
Saturday’s Games:
Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT) Carolina wins 4-0
Wild 5, Avalanche 1 Colorado leads 2-1
Sunday’s Games:
Canadiens 6, Sabres 2 Montreal leads 2-1
Ducks 4, Golden Knights 3 Series tied at 2
