Tampa's GM Makes It Clear They Do Not Want Steven Stamkos

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Graham Montgomery
October 13, 2023 (0:46)

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The Tampa Bay Lightning are expected to be a cup contender once again this year but it is clear that their core is getting older and some of their fan favorites may not be on the team for much longer.

Lightning Will Not Talk With Stamkos Until The End Of The Season

One such player is non other than the team's captain, Steven Stamkos. NHL insider Pierre Lebrun reported on 32 thoughts today that Lightning GM Julien BreisBois has no intentions of conducting contract negotiations with Stamkos until the season is over.

LeBrun on Insider Trading says Lightning will wait until after the season when it comes to Stamkos extension talks. Lightning want to see where they are as a contender before considering re-signing Stamkos.

Stamkos Looks To Lead Lightning To Another Cup

Stamkos, 33, is in the twilight years of his career, but he has shown that he is still a very effective player. How much longer he can play at that level though is a major question that the Lightning will have to ask themselves when considering signing him to a new contract. In the meantime, Stamkos will try to do what he does best, play winning hockey.

The team won two cups with Stamkos as the captain in 2020 and 2021 but this year he will look to add a third. As his contract is expiring at the end of the season it could potentially be his last chance to win with the team that drafted him. Stamkos has played 1004 career regular season games and 123 playoff games, all with the Lightning.