Steven Stamkos Reveals How The Lightning Treated Him During Negotiations

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Matt Garland
July 4, 2024 (7:02 PM)

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After sixteen seasons, and two Stanley Cups Steven Stamkos left the Tampa Bay Lightning, signing a four-year, $8M AAV contract with the Nashville Predators.

The 34 year old, Stamkos reflected on the negotiations with Tampa, revealing it was a frustrating negotiating process that left the former captain feeling a bit disregarded.

"I didn't get approached to sign an extension last summer. That caught me by surprise and something that I expressed at training camp and certainly that was probably the start of the writing on the wall. I didn't quite know why but I didn't ask too many questions, just went about and played hard, I didn't let that effect me. Now after the season I knew both sides were going to try and get something done and do something that was mutually beneficial for both sides. It just felt like I was the one that was making a lot of the concessions.

You have hope until the last minute and then when you don't hear anything or nothing changes then you have to be able to adapt. Just make a decision that is the toughest part. The memories I've had in Tampa will trump whatever ill will feelings I've had throughout this process because those are temporary, those are emotional decisions. You know as time passes those usually go away. It's remembering the amazing times, growing up in that city as an 18 year old kid to where I am now, having a family, obviously winning, you know the fans, the city everything has been first class and those are the things that you remember. You're sad it didn't work out , maybe the way you wanted it to but a new chapter is opening up in my family's life, that's something were excited about."

It is rumored that Stamkos was offered a long-term contract at a disrespectful $3M AAV to stay in Tampa. It is a shame he couldn't finish his career with the same franchise that drafted him 1st overall in 2008.

Stamkos is still a lethal shooter, producing 40 goals and 81 points in 79 games last season. The 1st overall pick from 2008 has scored 555 goals and 1,137 points in 1,082 regular season games all with the Lightning.

Stamkos sounds like he is taking a positive approach to everything now that he has had sometime to reflect. He refuses to let the disrespectful contract negotiations cloud all the great things he has done in Tampa Bay.