Steven Stamkos said it’s tough to answer whether a deal will get done because they haven’t talked much yet, but he’s excited to have those conversations #tblightning. pic.twitter.com/rQOxkWZ9MF
– Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) May 1, 2024
The Steven Stamkos file is getting a lot of attention in Tampa Bay… and in the NHL in general. After all, even if everyone knows the player wants to return to the Lightning, there’s a world out there where that doesn’t happen.
And that would be the talk of the town. After all, he’d be in demand.
Of course, seeing Stamkos in another uniform would be special. However, if Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St-Louis ended their careers in other colors… anything’s possible.
The subject is hot right now because of the Lightning’s elimination. But in reality, what it will take is a good round of discussions between Julien BriseBois and the captain’s agent.
Stamkos, who wants to stay, says he’s “excited” about the upcoming discussions.
From what we understand, it’s going to come down to this: can the Lightning come up with an amount that won’t destroy the organization’s (fragile) salary balance… without insulting it with an offer that’s too low?
As Elliotte Friedman pointed out on his podcast this morning, that’s where the debate lies.
For what it’s worth, DG BriseBois said he was “very confident” of finding common ground with his captain, who has been excellent for several weeks.
The Quebec GM also claims to have had discussions with Stamkos and his agent since the Lightning’s elimination. But deep down, we sense that he doesn’t want to “fall in love” with his player.
BriseBois on signing Stamkos: “I briefly met with Stammer when we landed after Game 5. I spoke with his agent yesterday … it is obviously a priority to see if we can get this done.” When asked if he had any doubts, BriseBois said. “I am very hopeful.” https://t.co/mwvog9SjvG
– Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) May 1, 2024
However, it should be noted that although it was thought that he only had one year left on his contract, it would appear that in reality, he has two. BriseBois said he had some term left on his contract… and according to David Pagnotta, he still has two years left on his contract.
I’m told #GoBolts HC Jon Cooper had signed an extension and is under contract through the 2025-26 season. https://t.co/M5MWE38kba
– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 1, 2024
Remove Cooper’s name, then.
In brief
– Victor Hedman is a year away from independence.
BriseBois on Victor Hedman, who is entering the last year of his contract in 2024-25: “I talked to his agent yesterday, just very preliminary. We’re going to circle back once we have time to debrief here. But, obviously, we’d love to keep Victor going forward. He’s an elite…
– Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) May 1, 2024
– Hard to understand.
Connor Helleybuck’s playoff stats before facing the Habs in the second round in 2021:
16-15
,922
2,39His stats since then:
2-12
,886
3,92I have no clue why. Still, it’s pretty startling.
– Simon-Olivier Lorange (@SO_Lorange) May 1, 2024
– Very sad, all that.
Mike Trout looked destroyed yesterday. https://t.co/EOOQrsEF0m
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) May 1, 2024
– Interesting.
#Habs Vinzenz Rohrer is a Swiss Champion! pic.twitter.com/SSkVUaG3pi
– Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) May 1, 2024
– Ouch.
This is the trip that is causing a lot of controversy here in Game 4 as Eagles forward Jacob Newcombe goes crashing into the boards on the rush off the Charles-Edward Gravel major penalty.
Early report Jacob Newcombe at the hospital with an upper body injury and his status for Game… pic.twitter.com/Gbn1gFr9R3– Mavs Gillis (@eastlinkmavs) May 1, 2024