Report: Lightning Star says he expects to sign a new deal in the offseason!

First and foremost this is huge news for any fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning. According to a report from ESPN's Pierre Lebrun, Steven Stamkos has indicated that he will sign a new deal this offseason, one year before he is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Lebrun belives that Stamkos will  sign a deal "similar to Kane and Toews" which would makes sense, seeing as both those players also signed one year before hitting the free agent market. Stamkos is having another fantastic season with 26 goals and 16 assists through 49 games with the Lightning.

Steven Stamkos says similar to Kane and Toews, he envisions potentially signing an extension in July one year out before he becomes UFA. — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 23, 2015

Stamkos says he loves it in Tampa, team has a great future and he wants to part of it — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 23, 2015