On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning returned Gage Goncalves to the Syracuse Crunch. It’s the second time this month the forward has been loaned back to the organization’s AHL affiliate, and considering the Lightning are starting a two-game road trip on Tuesday, it’s not likely a paper transaction. There is always the chance that Julien BriseBois is sending him down to save a few bucks on the salary cap, but it would be a minimal amount considering Goncalves cap hit.
The move could indicate that Brayden Point, who has been out of the line-up since November 3rd with an undisclosed lower-body injury, is close to returning.