Breakout Candidate: Gage Goncalves, LW/RW
Goncalves, in his first full season in Tampa, provided eight goals, 20 points, 71 hits and a plus-7 rating over 60 regular-season appearances. Slated to skate on the third line, Goncalves will be counted on early in the season to help make up for the absence of Nick Paul. In addition, he could see second line duty of Oliver Bjorkstrand is moved down a trio.
Buy Low Candidate: Oliver Bjorkstrand, LW/RW
When you go through all the other names in the top-six in Tampa, Bjorkstrand would be the sixth name selected in your drafts. Despite that placement, he still has value, possible more than others based on how low he will go. It would not be surprising to see Bjorkstrand top 50 points this season.
Riser: Conor Geekie, LW/RW
Geekie, like Gage Goncalves, could open the season on the third line. The 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft scored just 14 points in 52 NHL games but was much more dangerous in the AHL with 11 goals and nine assists in just 24 regular-season games in 2024-25. Geekie has the size, speed and skill to take a major leap forward this season, which would lengthen the Tampa Bay lineup.
Faller: Yanni Gourde, C/LW
Gourde posted 64 points in 2017-18 in Tampa. His first two seasons in Seattle, he notched 48 points in each. He dropped to 33 points in 80 games in 2023-24, and injuries limited him to 67 games between Seattle and Tampa last season, notching just 31 points. Gourde could end up on the fourth line, which would further limit his scoring potential.
All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, moneypuck.com, hockeyviz.com, allthreezones.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com unless otherwise noted.