As the final seconds of the Tampa Bay Lightning season ticked down on Monday, many likely wondered if this might also be the end of Steven Stamkos’ tenure with the team. The contract will expire in June, and a new one has not been discussed and is not being discussed.
“No, that never occurred to me,” said Stamkos after the last game. “I’m on the ice trying to help the team win no matter what.”
Stamkos, the Lightning’s No. 1 draft pick in 2008 and their captain since 2014, can become an unrestricted free agent in July. Before the start of the season, the two-time Stanley Cup winner expressed frustration that contract negotiations had not yet begun.
“To be honest, I was disappointed that there wasn’t action in that regard,” Stamkos said bluntly. “At the end of the season, I openly said that I would like to conclude the contract before the start of the training camp. But no talks took place. I would like to extend and finish my career here, but that is not in my power. I can’t write the contract myself.”
In January, while dealing with the forward’s contract situation, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois insisted that Stamkos would not be sold before the transfer deadline.
“We’re going to sit down and evaluate how we’re doing as a team and how Steven’s doing,” BriseBois said at the time. “We’ll see how we can make everything work together. At the end of the season, we will evaluate how we are doing as a club, and we will deal with the future contracts of all our players.”
Stamkos, 34, had a career best against the Panthers with five goals in five games. That was after he scored 40 goals and 81 points in 79 regular season games. Despite his age, he is not slowing down, he is still elite.
And also legendary. He is perhaps the best in all offensive aspects in team history. The second is only in the number of assists (582) behind Martin St. by Louis (588).
Asked if he thought Stamkos’ future would be a big topic of conversation in the coming days, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said it shouldn’t be.
“I don’t know if it will be talked about. Anyway, I hope not, it shouldn’t be a debate,” Cooper said. “Includes. We know it, he knows it. We grew up together. He’s a damn good player, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. Only he and Julien can answer that.’
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