On Wednesday, on the opening day of training camp, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos shocked reporters by revealing that he had not yet discussed a contract extension with management.
returning Tampa Bay with the Stanley Cup. However, because he wants to assess the roster, no contract negotiations would take place until after this season.
BriseBois expressed his desire for Stamkos to play one more game with the Lightning. He also wants to make sure that they can continue to be a strong contender for the Stanley Cup throughout the duration of his captain’s contract with the team.
Stamkos, a center who has recently played left wing, is coming off a season in which he scored 84 points. He has an eight-year deal with a complete no-movement clause that ends at the end of this season, worth an average of $8.5 million each year. Next July, the 15-year NHL veteran will be able to sign as an unrestricted free agent.
The Lightning have struggled with salary cap space in previous years. With 16 players under contract and $12.4 million in anticipated cap space for 2024–25, BriseBois needs to make wise investments with its limited resources. When Stamkos signed his current contract, he agreed to pay less than market value. He may have to take a wage reduction on a shorter agreement because of his age.
Stamkos’ remarks, though, hint at the potential for a confrontation with management. If the Lightning’s chances of making the playoffs are destroyed by injuries or a drop in team performance, rumors that he will be traded to a contender by the March 8 trade deadline may surface.
With so many teams carrying a restricted amount of salary space this season, it would be challenging to locate a good trading partner for Stamkos’ contract. In addition, the Lightning would want a premium price for their captain. It is likely that interested clubs would rather hold off until July, when Stamkos becomes a free agency.
However, we’ve looked at a few possible trade targets and the kind of return that could be required to land Stamkos in the event that the Lightning decide to trade their captain before the trade deadline. Please share your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply