Erik Černák opens up about “shocking” Steven Stamkos' departure from Lightning

This summer marked the end of an era for the Tampa Bay Lightning, as longtime forward and team captain Steven Stamkos is no longer part of the team. He departed the only NHL club he's ever played for to sign a four-year, $32 million deal with the Nashville Predators. 

The $8 million AAV he'll be earning with the Predators is double the $4 million AAV reportedly offered by the Lightning, a deal he found unsatisfactory. Although Stamkos has already said his goodbyes to the Lightning with a lengthy piece in The Player's Tribune, the sting of his departure still lingers with his former teammates.

Defenseman Erik Černák recently disclosed that the fact Stamkos chose to leave Tampa Bay was "shocking" to him and the rest of his teammates while also disclosing Stamkos was the first player to text him when he first joined the Bolts. 

“It was shocking to everybody…it’s even hard to talk about right now because he was a big part of my career. Great player, great leader, great friend. I will miss him because he’s an unbelievable person. First guy who texted me and welcomed me to the team: ‘Don’t worry about anything, we’ve got you. Just feel comfortable here.’”

Meanwhile, Černák was sure to note that he believes in the moves that the Lightning braintrust has made, which includes signing Jake Guentzel to a long-term deal. 

"They’ve been so successful over the years, so you just have to look forward," he said. "They are always right about stuff.”

Stamkos will face his former team for the first time on October 28 when he and the Predators face off against the Lightning at Amalie Arena; he'll be getting a video tribute and standing ovation from the fans. 

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