The Tampa Bay Lightning will talk to Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman this offseason
Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta was on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio with Steve Kouleas and Carter Hutton and when asked about Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, he said Stamkos is the best, but the team wants to find both. signed.
** NHLRumors.com transcript
NHL Rumors: Real Talks Between Steven Stamkos and Lightning Will Begin Next Month
Steve Kouleas: “We have Dave Pagnotta Sirius XM NHL Network Television Insider for the Fourth Season. Okay, next topic, a nonsensical seasonal topic. What is the plan for Tampa in 91 and 77? What are you doing?”
Dave Pagnotta: “Yeah, it sounds like look, first of all, we're going to talk about both at some point. They are a little lenient with Hedman because he still has one year left on his contract, but have indicated to Victor and his agent and Peter Whelan that they will have that conversation at some point this season. It depends on what happens with Steven Stamkos.
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It reinforces what is important right now. He is on an expiring contract. They want to lock Hedman up to a long-term extension, and I haven't heard anything that suggests that's likely to happen. So I think there's a comfort level on both sides that it's OK, let's get a captain first, and then we'll work on our expansion strategy with a big defender. But Stamkos is the best. And I think those discussions will start to intensify when the middle of the Final Conference begins.
They start this coming week. So sometime next week or right around June, that's probably when those talks will start at least. Okay, let's put our cards on the table. Let's find out where we are. And Julien BriseBois, who is the GM of Tampa, will show what his plan is, and the team is moving forward when he feels like the captain is entering.
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And, again primarily in terms of dollars, so the priority right now for the Tampa side is let's lock up the captain and try to lock Victor Hedman into an extension.
He can't get it as everyone who is on an expiring contract with one year left can't sign an extension until July 1st. So there is a little relief there. But again, there doesn't seem to be any concern about that. It sounds like they think they can both sides that they can work something out there.
Right now, the best is Steven Stamkos. Tampa will try to make that happen.”
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