Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is expected to reach the open market, his agent shared with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (Twitter link). Stamkos has been a pillar of the Tampa lineup since his first-overall selection in the 2008 NHL Draft. He’s since accomplished it all in Tampa Bay – claiming the franchise record for games played, goals, and points; succeeding Vincent Lecavalier as captain in 2013; and leading Tampa to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
Not to be outdone, Stamkos followed the Cup wins with the first 100-point season of his career in 2022. He since shown zero signs of slowing down, recording 34 goals and 84 points last year and 40 goals and 81 points this year. Through his seasons that weren’t limited by injury, Stamkos has failed to reach 50 points just once – in 2008-09, when he scored 46 points as a rookie. He’s since been as consistent of a scorer as teams could ask for, still offering high-end goal-scoring at the age of 34.
The Lightning are in the rare position to stomach losing a consistent 80-point scorer, thanks to
Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point’s continued challenging of the 100-point mark. But Tampa will still need to find a way to replace the reliable upside that Stamkos brought year after year, should he move away from the club. That could be a very tough bill to meet as the Lightning boast just $5.335MM in projected cap space, with seven pending free agents on their NHL roster. That includes winger Anthony Duclair, who scored eight goals and 15 points in 17 regular season games after Tampa Bay acquired him at the Trade Deadline. Duclair had a career year in 2021-22, scoring 31 goals and 58 points, though he’s failed to reignite his scoring since. While he’s bound for a pay raise after a hot second-half to the year, Duclair could be a cheaper option with scoring upside to try and fill Stamkos’ top-six role.
Meanwhile, the question of what Stamkos’ next contract could look like is seemingly impossible to answer. He’s nearing the end of his career but still seems fit for a few more years in the league. And he’ll undeniably be among the year’s highest paid players, after concluding an eight-year contract with an annual cap hit of $8.5MM. There seems to be no price he couldn’t demand after potting 40 goals this season. At the very least, he likely isn’t set for a pay cut. And he’s a future Hall-of-Famer entering the open market, which could quickly inspire a bidding war.
Tampa Bay is at risk of losing the face of their franchise for much of the 2000s. That will be an impossible role to fill, especially with such limited cap space. Meanwhile, Stamkos will plan for a rare career-first in free agency – and surely plenty of interest from around the league.
I still think this a a stare down. See who blinks first. He’ll still be back there. At least Stamkos can go on the FA circuit and get some nice dinners and free stuff.
There’s a rumor going around down here that Brisbois offered him between three and 3 1/2 million dollars per season. No joke.
That’s LeBrun’s report stating that. Whether it’s true or not is a guessing game in itself. But then again, BriseBois did this low-AAV with Alex Killorn & that turned out to be true in the end.
They offered him $8 over 3 years.. haha yeah you read that right. He ain’t going back. What a slap in the face. Tampon Bay.
Sorry 3 million per for 8 years lol. Sad I can’t even write that without offering him a better deal.
@thebirds — The $8 over 3 years is hilarious, though! :)
Haha that was funny as you turned your minor error into humorous joke on the matter. Nice recovery.
I just find it hard to believe that the Bolts would bring McDonough back which in turn would cause them to lose Stamkos. Have to think they have something up their sleeve to bring Stamkos back.
After hearing GM Julien BriseBois speaking about the situation, it’s hard to get a clear picture on what is laboring from getting a deal done here despite both sides recently claiming they want to get a deal done & are still engaging negotiations as BriseBois spoke with Stamkos’ agent yesterday. This peculiar situation on a number of different levels & while Stamkos could hit the open market, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s leaving either.
BriseBois stated he didn’t know if he needs to make any moves to clear cap space which is an odd statement & tells me, maybe it’s the length of the contract that is the sticking point more so than the money.
I’m curious if BriseBois makes any moves here during the Draft to clear cap space. The deadline could push both sides to make something happen. Only time will tell…
Isn’t it pretty obvious? They are obviously not offering him enough money lmfao.
How is this peculiar in the slightest
Dude, a lot of times it’s more about the terms than money in a variety of cases in these negotiations. Why do I get the impression you’re a narrow-minded thinker lol.
Nothing is ever cut & dry like your assuming it is. One would have to be a simpleton to think so. Things are usually layered in shades of gray in these matters.
Also, this article states little of what has been reported on this matter. I’ve read other sources providing much more in-depth. Granted, I take everything with a grain of salt in these cases even the recent report from Pierre LeBrun.
You have this “superiority complex” way of speaking on here that I just can’t stand.
You throw out these little insults and mask it within these big mumbo jumbo paragraphs that you write. It’s extremely offputting. The only reason I even bothered replying to your comment is for that alone. You are a Tampa homer, and you seem to believe they can do no wrong in the universe.
If they lose Stamkos, I will laugh. Especially given how much you’ve been beating the drum that they’re going to clear all this cap space by trading away players that no team wants. If they have seriously been offering Stammer 3–3.5 million a season, you guys deserve to see him leave.
I wasn’t insulting anyone in my original post until you replied with your snarky remark.
The fact you say I have a “superiority complex” is hilarious coming from someone like you. Because you & a few of others seem to have that very thing. You probably just don’t like the fact I don’t back down to your belittling remarks.
I never said Tampa can’t do no wrong. You’re making baseless assumptions & putting words in my mouth. They’ve made mistakes just like any team like with this Stammer situation.
Yes, there has been reports of Jeannot & Sheary being trade candidates as it’s not just me saying that. You say “no one” wants these guys but yet guys with less talent are getting traded. You again make another baseless claim. Your arrogance is beyond comprehension since I guess you’re a hockey God.
There’s a lot of talk that 91 wants to join 88 with the New York Rangers
To pull that off NYR would have to trade half of their team. That’s just so not happening.