Steven Stamkos Could Get Same Deal As Another Star To Stay In Tampa
TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joined Jay Onrait on SportsCenter and was asked about Steven Stamkos and whether he will sign a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning to stay there.
** NHLRumors.com transcript
Jay Onrait: It's time for the Insider Trading After Show. One of my favorite parts is our special guest on this show, Craig Button, who is back in Las Vegas, where he covers the NHL Draft.
NHL Rumors: The Lightning will talk to Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman this summer
Craig, we heard from Insiders that Steven Stamkos does not currently have a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning as we head into free agency on Monday. If he's out of contract by Monday, would you be shocked, Craig? Would you be surprised that he had reached that point?
Craig Button: “Yes, I will. Would I be very surprised? No, but I would be surprised. Steven Stamkos has played his entire senior career since he was first drafted in Tampa. He doesn't know any other organization. He is a captain, a two-time Stanley Cup champion. And if you look at where the Tampa Bay Lightning are right now with the salary cap and the fact that Steven Stamkos is still a really strong player in the NHL, I just see the fit there.
While maybe Steven Stamkos wants to go out and hear what other teams have to say, I ultimately see him as the Tampa Bay Lightning. I think the Tampa Bay Lightning will work to try to make sure they can find a way to keep Steven Stamkos.
NHL Rumors: Julien BriseBois Hopes to Keep Steven Stamkos
I don't know; it won't be an eight-year deal. But I think like Evgeni Malkin's deal that he signed in Pittsburgh, it was $25 million over four years. Maybe he's a little taller than Steven Stamkos. But I see an opportunity for Tampa Bay and Steven Stamkos to keep the relationship together for the foreseeable future.”
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