Martin St. Louis reveals his thoughts on Steven Stamkos Leaving Tampa Bay

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Josh Tupper
July 27, 2024 (2:36 PM)

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Martin St. Louis on Steven Stamkos Leaving Tampa Bay: "It's Not a Bad Thing"

Earlier this month, the hockey world was stunned when Steven Stamkos' tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning came to an end. After 16 seasons with the team that drafted him first overall in 2008, Stamkos became an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. He quickly found a new home, signing a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators on the opening day of free agency.

Stamkos' departure from the Lightning, where he helped secure back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021, was unexpected. His 16-year career with Tampa Bay established him as a franchise legend, and many assumed he would finish his career with the team. However, one of his former teammates and current Montreal Canadiens Head Coach, Martin St. Louis, believes that this move could be beneficial for Stamkos.

In a recent interview, St. Louis reflected on Stamkos' career shift, emphasizing that experiencing a new team might ultimately be a positive aspect of his storied NHL career.

"It's tough leaving," St. Louis said. "I'm not going to get into how everything was handled. It's hard to leave, but I don't think it's a bad thing for 'Stammer' to go and experience something else. It'd be nice to stay in the same place for that long, which he was fortunate to do. What was he, 16 years there? That's a long time. I think he's going to look back on his career and I think he's going to be happy that he experienced something else, and he's going to a really good situation."

Stamkos joins the Nashville Predators, a team poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. Alongside new additions like Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, Stamkos is expected to play a pivotal role in the Predators' quest for a deep playoff run. The Predators are aiming for their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 2017, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Stamkos' return to Tampa Bay is set for October 28th, early in the 2024-25 season. This game promises to be an emotional event for both Stamkos and Lightning fans, as they honor his contributions and the legacy he built over 16 seasons with the team.

While Steven Stamkos' departure from the Tampa Bay Lightning marks the end of an era, it also opens a new chapter in his illustrious career. Martin St. Louis' perspective highlights the potential benefits of this transition, suggesting that experiencing a new team could enrich Stamkos' career and personal growth. As he embarks on this new journey with the Nashville Predators, the hockey world will be watching closely to see how this next phase unfolds for one of the game's most respected players.

Source: NHL.com
St. Louis sees bright side for Stamkos in leaving Lightning for Predators