Jon Cooper clearly wants his captain to stay with the Lightning.
The Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the Florida Panthers by a 6-1 final score on Monday, ending their season. It was a tough way to go out, especially because the Lightning received two controversial no-goal calls that naturally impacted the final result.
This loss was immensely significant, as it could end up being Steven Stamkos' final game with the Lightning. The superstar forward is entering the offseason without a contract, and GM Julien BriseBois has not confirmed that he plans to bring him back.
Steven StamkosLightning head coach Jon Cooper, on the other hand, has made it abundantly clear that he wants Stamkos to remain in Tampa Bay.
"He (Stamkos) belongs here. We know it. He knows it. But, again, this is two seconds after a game, but he and I have grown up together. He's a heck of a player... I don't know what's going to happen, but he feels like a Bolt for life. Only he and Julien can answer that one."
Clearly, if Cooper could have it his way, Stamkos will stay with the Lightning. However, it will now come down to what BriseBois and Stamkos want to do from here. Given how excellent of a year Stamkos had, the Lightning would be crazy not to bring him back.