Emotion vs. Reason in Stamkos' Free Agency On the latest episode of The Silky Mitten State, my co-host Connor Earegood and I used Steven Stamkos as a test case through which to consider the balance of emotion and ruthless reason when it comes to NHL free agency. There had been a rift between Stamkos and the Lightning since the first day of training camp, with the two-time Stanley Cup-winning captain suggesting that he would love to re-sign but that Tampa brass was reluctant to even negotiate his continuity. Just before free agency, with major trades to offload salary (Mikhail Segachev to Utah and Tanner Jeannot to Los Angeles), it appeared the Lightning just might have the dollars to bring back Stamkos. Instead, the signed Jake Guentzel to a monster contract as a direct replacement for Stamkos, then gave an extension to Victor Hedman worth the exact same dollars and term Stamkos agreed to in Nashville. Connor and I discussed the complicated balance between nostalgia and the emotion that ties fans to players with the harsh reality of trying to remain maximally competitive. We pointed to the organizational context of previous Tampa captains and legends Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis exiting in frictive circumstances. You can check out a sample of the conversation in the video above, and the full episode on either Apple Podcasts or Spotify: ALSO FROM THN DETROIT Red Wings Power Play Sees Big Offseason Changes, Aiming for Lofty Goal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-power-play-sees-big-offseason-changes-aiming-for-lofty-top-5-goals] Red Wings Sign Michael Brandsegg-Nygard to Entry Level Contract [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/red-wings-sign-michael-brandsegg-nygard-to-entry-level-contract] Tarasenko and Kane, Free Agent Loyalty, and Prospect Timelines: The Silky Mitten State Episode 34 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/tarasenko-and-kane-free-agent-loyalty-and-prospect-timelines-the-silky-mitten-state-episode-34] Condolences: Tarasenko's Father Passes Away [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/condolences-tarasenkos-father-passes-away] Thank You, CapFriendly [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/thank-you-capfriendly-] PK Improvements Could Help Red Wings Tighten Up Defense [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/pk-improvements-could-help-red-wings-tighten-up-defense-] "Very Popular" Fischer Eyes Upward Trajectory in Second Year with Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/very-popular-fischer-eyes-upward-trajectory-in-second-year-with-red-wings] "This Team Can Make the Playoffs and Do Special Things": Tarasenko Looks to Continue Success with Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/this-team-can-make-the-playoffs-and-do-special-things-tarasenko-looks-to-continue-success-with-red-wings]
