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Steven Stamkos is the center, soul and captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning. However there may be a minimum of a slight probability he might be someplace apart from Florida’s west coast when the 2024-25 NHL season begins .
That appears unsuitable.
Stamkos has embodied the Lightning since they made him the primary general decide within the 2008 NHL Draft.
Now 34 and in his sixteenth season, Stamkos has 546 targets and 1,123 profession factors — each franchise data — and has led Tampa Bay to 2 Stanley Cups. He’s additionally the franchise’s all-time chief in video games performed (1,074). Stamkos shouldn’t be what he as soon as was, however he nonetheless has 31 targets and 67 factors in 71 video games this season.
However Stamkos can also be within the final yr of his contract, an eight-year $68 million cope with an $8.5 million annual common worth, per Spotrac.
Regardless of Stamkos’ standing as the best participant in Tampa Bay Lightning historical past, normal supervisor Julien BriseBois said months in the past there can be no negotiations with the ahead through the season. Which means there’s a probability Stamkos will change into an unrestricted free agent.
Stamkos has not indicated how he feels in regards to the crew’s choice on negotiations.
This isn’t unknown territory for Stamkos. He signed his present contract in 2016, however not till June 29, two days earlier than he would have change into a restricted free agent and will have signed with one other crew.
However it was effectively inside the interval of a minimum of per week earlier than July 1 that potential unrestricted free brokers can negotiate with different groups. And Stamkos did, certainly, entertain presents from different NHL golf equipment earlier than re-signing with Tampa Bay.
Will that be the case once more in 2024?
That can rely on many issues.
First, after all, along with his age and put on and tear —a historical past of a number of leg/knee accidents and situations — he might be taking a significant pay lower, regardless of the place he performs subsequent season.
Will BriseBois and the Lightning be in a nostalgic temper and do all the pieces they will to carry Stamkos again?
How badly does Stamkos need to keep in Tampa Bay? Would he settle for a “hometown low cost” supply?
After all, earlier than any of that is resolved, there would be the playoffs. Tampa Bay seems to be a lock to complete within the Japanese Convention’s first wild-card spot.
How would both an impressive or subpar playoff efficiency by Stamkos have an effect on issues?
That is quite a lot of questions. Sadly, we’ll simply have to attend and see for the solutions.
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