The Tampa Bay Lightning have some big decisions on the horizon as they look at potentially re-signing their captain.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been in a salary cap bind for quite some time now. They have operated at (or past) the salary cap ceiling for the better part of three or four years.
Tampa Bay Lightning.This will all come to a head in the off-season when Steven Stamkos' current deal expires. He is in the final year of a eight-year $8.5-million cap hit contract. Despite the rocky start for the club, Stamkos has 38 points in 38 games.
Things haven't gone exactly how the Lightning wanted to this year. They have 43 points in 41 games, just one point removed from the final Eastern Conference Wild Card position.
Steven Stamkos.As far as the cap situation is concerned the Lightning will only have $6.686-million cap space. Even if Stamkos agrees to a lower number than his present $8.5-million, he would need to take $6-million or less to fit under the cap with the rest of the roster remaining the same.
Something needs to budge if they want to keep their captain in Tampa.
The general rule of thumb for estimating future contract cap hits is $1-million per 10 points scored. His point totals for the past two years were 106 & 84. This year he's on pace for 82 points. That would price him out around $8.5-million, his current contract amount.
The only way he is signed for that price is if big money is moved. They need to shed at least $3-$4-million to make something work.
Depending on how the rest of this season shakes out, they may be inclined to make more changes than just re-signing their captain.
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