Welcome to another round of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumours! We are getting closer to the 2024 NHL Draft and the start of free agency. Steven Stamkos is one of the important players included on our Top Free Agents Board.
There is a lot of speculation about what will happen to Stamkos this offseason. All eyes will be on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and can Julien BriseBois keep him separate from the General Manager who picked him?
It’s time to get into the NHL rumours surrounding Steven Stamkos.
It appears that Steven Stamkos could stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is one of the top free agents in the upcoming summer. As free agency approaches, Stamkos remains unsigned. However, it is believed that he will continue with the Lightning despite the decision to bring back defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
It was an intriguing start to the season in Tampa. It started with Steven Stamkos’ comments about his contract. He was dissatisfied with how things turned out and how General Manager Julien BriseBois refused to discuss an extension with him. When the season finished, everyone around the Tampa Bay Lightning was talking about Steven Stamkos.
The big million-dollar issue is whether he will remain or leave in free agency. When Diandra Loux of Hockey News joined the Full Press Hockey Podcast, she was asked the following question. She hopes he’ll stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I mean, I’ve been saying this for the past year, and I know people want it to be a tale. They want him to be able to return to Toronto, where he is from, and other scenarios, but the reality is that they would not have brought back McDonagh if there was no room for Steven Stamkos because Steven Stamkos’ contract is the first priority. “He’s the heart and soul of this team,” Loux told Full Press Hockey.
“I’m not suggesting Ryan McDonagh means less in this locker room. But Stammer is the team. He represents the organization. Everything runs through him, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without him. It would simply suck the soul out of the room. So I know that’s the first priority, and he wants to stay. There’s no doubt that the organization wants him to stay, and he wants to stay.
Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) Rumour: Steven Stamkos is a priority for the Lightning.
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jon Cooper said, “Steven Stamkos belongs here. We know it. “He knows it.”
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While there have been indications that contract negotiations are at an impasse, Loux told Full Press Hockey that they have been talking since exit interviews and may be close to a settlement but may need to shift some pieces first.
“If I had to guess, I’d say I know they’re under development. I believe it is nearing completion, but that remains to be determined. Sometimes these things take a little longer. It could be about negotiating numbers or terms—who knows. But I know they’ve been talking since the departure interviews, so something is in the works, Loux stated on the Full Press Hockey Podcast.
“I guess until there are two signings, you never know for sure until it’s a done agreement and announced, but I’d say I’m very convinced that he’s not leaving and actually wants to stay. So, I don’t see him going anywhere. And maybe they’re working out some numbers, or maybe it’s almost done, but they need to make some moves beforehand, who knows? But I know it is in the works. And I don’t see Steven Stamkos entering here.”
Following the acquisition of McDonagh, the Lightning have approximately $5.5 million to spend on signing Stamkos and finalizing the roster. The main question is who will be on the move. Players like Connor Sheary, who will earn $2 million over the next three years, and Tanner Jeannot, who has one year remaining at $5.33 million, are thought to be trade candidates.
“I guess until there are two signings, you never know for sure until it’s a done agreement and announced, but I’d say I’m very convinced that he’s not leaving and actually wants to stay. So, I don’t see him going anywhere. And maybe they’re working out some numbers, or maybe it’s almost done, but they need to make some moves beforehand, who knows? But I know it is in the works. And I don’t see Steven Stamkos entering here.”
Following the acquisition of McDonagh, the Lightning have approximately $5.5 million to spend on signing Stamkos and finalizing the roster. The main question is who will be on the move. Players like Connor Sheary, who will earn $2 million over the next three years, and Tanner Jeannot, who has one year remaining at $5.33 million, are thought to be trade candidates.
Moving these two contracts would give the Lightning enough money to sign Stamkos and make another move.
With free agency just around the bend, stay tuned for more NHL rumours. Next time, we’ll journey north of the border to see the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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