Steven Stamkos is signing a four-year, $32 million contract to affix the Nashville Predators, based on The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.
The 34-year-old Stamkos had been with the Tampa Bay Lightning because the franchise chosen him with the No. 1 general decide on the 2008 NHL Draft.
A scarcity of contract extension talks between Stamkos and Lightning normal supervisor Julien BriseBois throughout the common season was an indication {that a} return to Tampa wasn’t assured. After last-ditch discussions over the previous weeks did not get anyplace, Stamkos’ agent mentioned the Lightning legend was “going to July 1” to check the free agent market.
“To be full trustworthy I’ve discovered myself asking the identical query and the extra folks I speak to everybody appears to share that very same sentiment, which is puzzling and unusual,” Stamkos mentioned when requested on Sportsnet the place negotiations went south. “On the finish of the day there was no query I used to be keen to place all that stuff apart to stay a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.”
“We wished it to finish and retire with the Tampa Bay Lightning,” Stamkos mentioned. “It definitely did not work out, however on the finish of the day with the intention to look your self within the mirror you simply must be trustworthy with your self, know your self price, know what loyalty and respect means to you and transfer on. And that is why it has been so thrilling for our household. As soon as we kinda obtained over that hump we kinda zeroed in on just a few groups with Nashville being very excessive on that checklist and simply the mutual curiosity from day one. How aggressive they have been, how accommodating they have been by way of any questions or issues, and it simply appeared like a pure match.”
On Sunday, the Lightning acquired the negotiating rights to Jake Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes and signed the ahead to a nine-year, $63 million contract. Guentzel, who was anticipated to be a extremely coveted unrestricted free agent, is 4 years youthful than Stamkos and has scored at the very least 30 targets in every of the final three seasons.
Stamkos ‘excited for subsequent chapter’ with Predators
Earlier than the deal was made official, Stamkos, who had served as Lightning captain since 2014, took to X to say goodbye to Tampa. In 16 seasons with the Lightning, he scored 555 targets and 1,137 factors, gained two Rocket Richard Trophies because the league’s prime purpose scorer, and led the franchise to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021.
Thanks Tampa ❤️❤️
I don’t have the phrases but ….. I’ll quickly .It’s nonetheless too early to course of. Simply wished everybody to know the way grateful we’re for 16 years as a bolt.
My household and I are excited for the subsequent chapter….
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) July 1, 2024
It was a busy first hour of NHL free company for Predators GM Barry Trotz. Together with Stamkos, he added ahead Jonathan Marchessault (5 years, $27.5 million) and defenseman Brady Skjei (seven years, $49 million).