TAMPA: Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning gets ready for the game against the Buffalo Sabres ... [+]
It was during media day in September when Steven Stamkos addressed reporters by expressing disappointment that, heading into his 16th season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, discussions concerning a contract extension were non-existent.
“I’ve been disappointed in the lack of talking,” he said then. “I expressed at the end of last year that I wanted to get something done before training camp started. There haven’t been any discussions.”
General manager Julien BriseBois elected to wait and see.
“Steven and I share the common goal of bringing a Cup back to Tampa,” BriseBois said that day. “That’s our objective. In order for us to do that in future years, we’re going to need to spend our cap dollars as wisely as possible. In order for me to do that, I feel like I need to gather more information. I need to see how this season plays out.”
A season in which Tampa Bay’s captain played the final year of an eight-year deal ($8.5 million cap hit) came to an end Monday evening in Sunrise where the Lightning lost Game 5 and their opening-round series to the Panthers.
Where does that leave things now that summer has arrived early? Well, BriseBois said during a season-ending press conference Wednesday that he “briefly” met with Stamkos after the team plane landed in Tampa following the Game 5 defeat. The GM also noted he spoke Tuesday with Stamkos’ agent on a preliminary basis to check schedules and the like.
“The aim is for him to continue to play on a contending Tampa Bay Lightning team going forward,” said BriseBois. “It is obviously a priority to see if we can get this done. I am very hopeful.”
The NHL’s salary cap next season will increase by $4.2 million to $87.7 million. That is no small detail for the Lightning and other teams wanting to extend key players.
“In a world where cash space is limited and it comes at a premium, you have to make wise decisions,” said BriseBois. “You are not going to bat 1.000.”
Batting 1.000 when it comes to Stamkos is the only choice as far as the Lightning faithful is concerned. After all, Stamkos is fan favorite who has dazzled with his play and with a level of determination and sacrifice that is second to none.
“I am hopeful that something obviously works out here because I do love it here and I still think that we have a chance to win with the group of guys that we have here,” Stamkos said Wednesday.
This season was one in which Stamkos had no choice but to put the frustration over the lack of contract talks aside so that he could focus on making the Lightning the best team it could be.
“When you do not have control of the situation, you just have to come to terms with that,” he said, noting the topic came up among family and friends, but not a public forum. “I tried to leave that at home and when I came to the rink it never crossed my mind. I was going there to play and try to help our team like I have always done.”
There is no question what the man behind the bench, Jon Cooper, would like to see as far as Stamkos’ immediate future.
“I don’t know if there will be much conversation,” said Cooper, following his team’s series loss to Florida. “I hope not, anyway. He belongs here. We know it. He knows it. He feels like a Bolt for life.”
Things change, which they certainly have in the Lightning’s room. It seemed like every other game at Amalie Arena this season there was a video tribute to a former player who contributed to the club’s run to three straight Cup final appearances and was back in town with his new team. Indeed, the past couple of years have seen several players shed from the roster as BriseBois tangled with the constraints of the salary cap while doing his best to keep the core intact.
Stamkos has been Tampa Bay’s captain for a decade. The “C” was stitched on his jersey in March 2014 following the trade of Martin St. Louis to the Rangers. He is the team’s all-time leader in games (1,082), goals (555), and points (1,137) while all of seven removed from passing St. Louis’ assist mark (588) for the scoring trifecta.
As impressive as his resume is, one that includes a pair of Stanley Cups and five Cup final appearances, Stamkos’ leadership in the room and on the ice goes far beyond his impressive numbers. It is a trait that is underscored by such moments as returning from injury in the Edmonton bubble for Game 3 of the 2020 Cup final against Dallas and scoring on one of his few shifts in his only playoff appearance.
Most recently, in Game 3 against the Panthers, the image of No. 91 blocking Vladimir Tarasenko’s shot attempt at an empty net and struggling to get to his feet is one that will not soon be forgotten among the 19,092 assembled at Amalie Arena. Or how about his game-high nine hits in Game 5?
It all adds up to why the feeling among Lightning fans and media is that everything should be done to make sure Stamkos’ work address remains 401 Channelside Drive. Stammer, after all, has some unfinished business to address following two straight first-round exits.
“I think the (championship) window is certainly open when you have some of the premier players at every position,” he said, sounding like a true captain looking forward to continuing his NHL career where it began.
