Before the 2023-24 season even got underway, Tampa Bay Lightning captain called out his team because they have yet to approach him about a contract extension. Chatter even emerged that the Lightning wouldn’t be devastated to lose its captain, which added a bad taste of disrespect in Tampa.
Now bad news was added to the mix when Pierre LeBrun reported on last night’s Insider Trading on TSN that GM Julien BriseBois isn’t planning on holding negotiations throughout the season.
“On Stamkos, BriseBois said he wasn’t blindsided by those comments from his captain last month because that’s exactly the sentiment that Stamkos shared with BriseBois when they met in the summer, but in those same meetings as BriseBois says, he also was very transparent with Stamkos, that they were not going to negotiate on an extension ahead of this season. And the fact BriseBois telling me that they’re going to wait until after the season to address that. But BriseBois also added it would be great for Stamkos to end his career in Tampa. But right now it’s about waiting to see where the Lightning are as a contender here after the season before addressing that.”
This sure points more and more at the possibility that Stammer could really on his way out of Tampa and test the free-agent market in the summer of 2024.
Stamkos has spent his entire career in a Lightning’s uniform, signing his current deal just ahead of hitting free agency back in 2016. He had been highly coveted as a potential free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs, among other teams, showing interest in the superstar. The fantasy of seeing Stammer sign in Toronto could be resurrected if the captain remains unsigned until free agency opens.
Stamkos recorded an assist in the Lightning’s first game of the season on Tuesday. Last year, put up 34 goals and 84 points in 81 games, adding two goals and four points during the Lightning’s six-game loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the postseason. He’s recorded a total of 515 goals and 1,057 points in his 1,004-game career, all for Tampa.
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