The Lightning need to keep Steven Stamkos around beyond this season.
The Lightning need to keep Steven Stamkos around beyond this season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently aiming to cement themselves a playoff spot in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. At this juncture, they hold the top wild card spot, but they will need to stay consistent to avoid a potential collapse.
However, even with this being such a crucial part of the campaign, the offseason is also naturally on the minds of Lightning fans. This is because captain and franchise legend Steven Stamkos is a pending UFA, and his future in Tampa Bay is not set in stone.
Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has made it clear that extension talks with Stamkos will not take place until after the season. He also noted, however, that he envisions Stamkos remaining with the Lightning beyond this season.
When noting that Stamkos is still a crucial part of the Lightning's core, it would be a massive mistake to let him walk in free agency. He remains a star in this league, and his 27 goals and 60 points in 64 games effectively display that.
Letting Stamkos walk would create a big hole in the Lightning's top six and also make them lose their top leader. While the Bolts have limited cap space heading into the summer, and he is in his mid-30s, their number one priority should be getting him his next deal this offseason. Let's see if they do just that.
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