2023-09-20 18:41:27
Even though he’s getting older, Steven Stamkos is still part of the National League’s elite.
The Lightning captain will enter the final year of the eight-year contract he signed in the summer of 2016 and will therefore be free as air next summer.
The one who claimed 84 points (34 goals) in the space of 81 games last season wants to stay in Tampa because he is good there. After all, he played his entire career in the uniform of the club that drafted him with the first overall pick in 2008…
It is therefore normal to see that he cares regarding the organization.
The Lightning’s management knows very well that he wants to stay in town… But despite everything, Julien BriseBois does not seem too eager to discuss the terms of a new contract with him…
And the main person concerned seems to be frustrated with this situation.
He openly told the Tampa Bay media that he was disappointed he hadn’t started discussions with his GM because he wanted to have a deal in place before the next season even begins.
I’m ready to talk during the season. I didn’t see it coming… But that’s what it is. –Steven Stamkos
Captain Steven Stamkos said that he’s “been disappointed” that the team didn’t discuss with him a contract extension over the summer. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/3UqU14MrKQ
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) September 20, 2023
Obviously, the player’s words quickly reached the ears of BriseBois, who didn’t really have the choice to comment on the situation.
This is especially where it gets interesting.
The general director of Bolts knows that Stamkos’ goal is to finish his career in Tampa and bring a Stanley Cup to town… But that won’t happen at any cost either.
When I hear Julien BriseBois affirm that for this to happen, the Lightning “will have to spend money as intelligently as possible”, it tells me that he is not ready to give the moon to his captain… And Stamkos might have to take a small discount on his contract, as he did in 2016.
It might start to get ugly pretty quickly.
“Steven and I share the common goal of bringing the Cup back to Tampa. 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.” (3/3)
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) September 20, 2023
Steven Stamkos isn’t really showing any signs of slowing down and it’s true that he has the right to want to be paid what he’s worth.
Because we agree that if he tests the free agent market in the summer of 2024… He will land a contract that will allow him to earn $10 million per season.
You pay for players of his caliber.
On the other hand, Julien BriseBois’ point is easy to understand too. The Lightning already have enough players in the organization who earn a lot of money annually and if they continue to award monster contracts to their guys, they will never be able to meet the salary cap.
It is already quite heavy, the payroll in Tampa Bay:
(Credit: CapFriendly)
The file will be one of the most captivating to watch in the coming months because we are talking regarding Steven Stamkos, a seasoned NHL veteran who has already proven himself and who knows what it takes to win Stanley Cups.
And if he’s still without a contract next summer and he decides to test the free agent market, like in 2016… There will be a lot of media coverage that will be focused on his case only.
To be continued, therefore.
A lot of
– ????????????
Kirby Dach with the Kirby bucket hat & Arber’s reaction ???? pic.twitter.com/BueNxx4GCh
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 20, 2023
– I really like the idea.
“We’ll let him and his game do the talking. I’m sure he’ll do very well.”
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) September 20, 2023
– Josh Norris is not 100%.
Senators centre Josh Norris ‘tweaked something’ during last week’s captain’s skates according to general manager Pierre Dorion and in an effort to be cautious, Norris will wear a yellow jersey to start camp:
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 20, 2023
– Andrei Svechnikov should be ready for the start of the season.
Don Waddell said on today’s The Athletic Hockey Show, which will be out soon, that #nhlcanes stud Andrei Svechnikov is ahead of schedule from reconstructive knee surgery and expects that he’ll be ready by the start of the regular season.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 20, 2023
– Hehe.
Tired: Madonna passing the torch to Britney via kiss
Wired: Bergeron passing the torch to Marchand via kiss pic.twitter.com/g0J4M3PFf8
— Lauren (@bigbruinsenergy) September 20, 2023
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#conflict #emerging #Steven #Stamkos #Julien #BriseBois
