Point and the Lightning are starting to edge closer to a three-year bridge deal, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tampa Bay has three more preseason contests in which Point could play if the two sides are able to close the gap soon. Even if he doesn't see preseason action, the center should be considered a lock for the Opening Night lineup versus the Panthers on Oct. 3 as long as he is under contract. The 23-year-old is coming off a career year in which he racked up 41 goals and 92 points, marks he could reach again in 2019-20.

According to his agent, Gerry Johansson, Point and Tampa Bay are "a ways apart right now" and "not that close" to agreeing to terms on a new contract, Sportnet's Luke Fox reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lightning currently have a little less than $8.5 million in remaining cap space, and if he's going to sign a long-term deal, Point likely won't settle for any less than the $10.893 million annual wage Mitch Marner recently agreed to when signing a new six-year contract with the Maple Leafs. In other words, if the Lightning aren't willing to sign Point to a short-term bridge deal, they'll have to trade away some salary in order to make a long-term contract with the 23-year-old pivot work. Right now, it appears that Point could, at a minimum, miss the beginning of the regular season, so fantasy owners will want to take that possibility into account if he remains unsigned prior to their drafts.

Point (contract dispute) wasn't included on Tampa Bay's initial training camp roster.

EDGE Analysis

The Lightning are still confident that they'll be able to come to terms with Point on a new deal prior to their Opening Night matchup with the Panthers, so at this juncture there's no reason to believe the 23-year-old forward will miss any regular-season action. The 2014 third-round pick is due for a massive pay raise after exploding for a career-high 41 goals and 92 points in 79 games last campaign.

Point was handed a qualifying offer by the Lightning on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

There was zero chance Tampa Bay wasn't going to give Point a qualifying offer in order to retain his contract rights. After putting up 92 points (41 goals) in 2018-19, the Bolts will no doubt be eager to lock up the center on a long-term deal. Considering 35 of his 92 points came on the power-play, the Calgary native should be near the top of most fantasy draft boards this offseason.

Point scored a beautiful goal in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

He was promoted to the top line between Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos for a short time while Anthony Cirelli recovered from a hard hit. Point drove the net from the left wing dot and snapped a savvy backhander shelf over Sergei Bobrovsky's blocker shoulder. But it was his only goal and point in a disappointing first-round loss. Point's new contract will be Tampa's top priority effective immediately. And he'll get a hefty raise after potting 41 goals and 92 points on the last year of his entry-level deal.

Point has no points in the first two games of Tampa's first-round series against Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

He had 92 points, including 41 goals, in a breakout season. But like teammates Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, Point's offense has dried up -- the guy has just two shots. He does have five penalty minutes, if that's a category your postseason league counts. Point needs to do better.

Point (rest) suited up in Monday's practice, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Point was held out of Saturday's season finale against Boston in favor of rest, and is expected to play in Game 1 of Tampa Bay's series against Columbus. The 23-year-old was an absolute beast this campaign, racking up 92 points in 79 games. He is expected to be one of -- if not the top -- fantasy option at the center position for the postseason.

Point won't play Saturday against the Bruins for the regular-season finale, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. It appears that he's merely being rested ahead of the playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

Point is far too valuable for the team to risk him getting injured in a rather meaningless contest. The burgeoning center experienced a rocket launch to fantasy stardom in his third season, with Point dropping 41 goals and 92 points -- not to mention 35 power-play points -- over 79 games.

Point scored a goal and added an assist in Monday's win over the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Point had two pointless games leading up to this contest, but that clearly doesn't last long in his world. He notched an assist on Yanni Gourde's opening score and added the eventual game-winner in the second period. The 23-year-old is up to 41 goals and 92 points on the season.

Point scored a goal Saturday in a 4-3 loss to the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

What a season. Point sits with 40 goals and 90 points in 74 games. The 40 goals put him fifth in the NHL; the 90 points, ninth. Point is a restricted free agent this offseason and this dominant two-way pivot is in line for a big raise.