Steven Stamkos' exit from the Tampa Bay Lightning was not what he expected, but in a "farewell" letter, he exuded the class the NHL and hockey world has come to expect.
Steven Stamkos waves to the crowd in January 2023 while being honored for reaching 500 career goals.It’s easy to be known as a classy individual when everything goes your way. It’s considerably more difficult to reach that level of graciousness when you’re put in a situation you never anticipated.
A great example of that is now-former Tampa Bay Lightning superstar captain Steven Stamkos. The two-time Stanley Cup champion penned a compelling piece for The Player’s Tribune on his 16 years with the Bolts on Monday. The biggest takeaway from the story is the deep level of gratitude he has toward the Lightning organization and the city he calls home.
“It doesn’t quite feel real that I won’t be a Bolt this fall,” Stamkos said in the story. “But over the past few weeks, I’ve had this really deep sense of how lucky I was to be one for 16 years.”
Stamkos also referred back to the days when the Lightning drafted him first overall in 2008.
“I wanted to be the one who lived up to the hype, who took the organization where it dreamt to go,” Stamkos said. “I remember those 'Seen Stamkos?' billboards in 2008 and how much faith the Lightning put in me, and I hope I repaid it.”
To be sure, Stamkos’ incredible legacy in Tampa is secure.
He’s played through terrible injuries and sky-high expectations and always came out with results that made his fans and teammates proud.
His exit from the organization didn’t unfold the way he would’ve written it, with Lightning GM Julien BriseBois waiting to negotiate a new contract until after the playoffs and opting to sign Jake Guentzel instead.
But the grand majority of pro athletes rarely have the opportunity to write the story the way they want it. All they ultimately can control is their reaction to difficult circumstances, and that’s what Stamkos has done.
He will be instantly revered as a member of the Nashville Predators, but if and when the Lightning erect a statue of this era of the franchise, it will be Stamkos’ likeness carved out of stone.
As generations of hockey fans in Florida look back on the Lightning’s history, Stamkos’ name will be prominent. His history as one of the most talented NHLers in recent memory will be mandatory learning. He’s done everything that was asked of him in Tampa Bay and more.
His final message to Bolts fans was typically classy. He no longer is wearing Lightning Blue and White, but all good things come to an end, and if it had to be this way for Stamkos, he’s handled things with the same skill and grace he showed on the ice. He should be proud of what he’s accomplished, and Lightning fans ought to be proud of him.
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