Was Game 5 the end of the Stamkos era in Tampa Bay?
Game 5 between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lighting could be one that we all remember.
After falling in five games to the Panthers, the Lightning now have some major decisions to make. The biggest though, is the future of their captain.
Steven Stamkos is the face of the franchise down in Tampa Bay. He has been for a very long time.
But he also just finished the final season of his eight-year, $68 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The 34-year-old has played 1,082 career games across 16 seasons, all with the Lightning. He owns the franchise record for games played, goals (555), points (1,137), even-strength goals (336), power-play goals (214) and just about every other statistical category.
He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2020, 2021), Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy winner (2010, 2012) and Mark Messier Leadership Award winner (2023).
“I don’t know if there will be much conversation. I hope not anyway,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “He belongs here. We know it, he knows it.
“We’ve grown up together. He’s a heck of a player, but he’s also, you know, I mean, he controls his own destiny, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. But he feels like a Bolt for life, but only he and [general manager Julien BriseBois] can answer that one.”
Steven Stamkos was the last Bolts player to leave the ice…
Is this the last time we see him in a Tampa Bay sweater? pic.twitter.com/KPldbZNRIz
Tyler Yaremchuk: What do you make of this video of Steven Stamkos staying out on the ice extra long after the elimination? Is this smoke, is this fire, is this a false alarm?
Frank Seravalli: I don’t think this is anything. Jon Cooper gave his passionate plea on why Steven Stamkos should still be there… He’s done this dance before. He interviewed in Toronto, he visited with some other teams. There’s a long way between now and July 1. Just because the Lightning haven’t made an offer yet, doesn’t mean they won’t… I think it makes a lot of sense for Tampa, if they have any hope of being competitive, to bring back Stamkos on a multiyear deal that pays him a respectable amount of money that gives the Lightning a chance to still add other players around him.
You can watch the full segment and episode here: