GM Julien BriseBois wanted to make it clear Tuesday morning that any speculation about trading his captain at the upcoming deadline is false.
GM Julien BriseBois wanted to make it clear Tuesday morning that any speculation about trading his captain at the upcoming deadline is false.
Steven Stamkos, who is in the final year of his contract, has long been the face of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. His status for next season has been the topic of conversation since September, when Stamkos expressed his disappointment in a lack of communication over the summer.
GM Julien BriseBois wanted to make it clear in media availability on Tuesday morning, any speculation about trading his captain at the upcoming deadline is false.
“Steven Stamkos is not getting traded,” BriseBois said. “So we can put that one to bed. That is not going to change between now and the deadline under any circumstances.”
Stamkos is still producing at a high-level with 18 goals and 41 points in 41 games.
Asked if he envisioned Stamkos being on the Lightning roster beyond this season, BriseBois said “yes.” Talks won’t continue until the summer.
“After the season, we’re going to sit down and evaluate where we are as a team, and where Steven is, and see how we can make all those parts come together,” BriseBois said.
The Lightning are currently looking to get their fourth consecutive win on Thursday and are battling for a playoff spot. It’s a unique position for a team that has seen success for the past decade. BriseBois acknowledged that Stamkos being the face of the franchise “obviously factors in.”
“My job is to try to build a team that has the greatest odds of winning a Stanley Cup,” BriseBois said. “It’s never one thing. It’s always about the collective.”
“At the end of this season, we'll take stock of where we are as a franchise and in large part, based on the results of this season, we'll address future contracts for all of our future players whose contracts going to be up in due time.”
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