Steven Stamkos Contract Key to Lightning's NHL Stanley Cup Hopes Amid FA Rumors

Steven Stamkos has been the Tampa Bay Lightning's captain since 2014, and over the past decade, he's helped them remain one of the NHL's top teams. His run as the leader featured back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021, and another appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2022.

This year, the Lightning lost a five-game series in the first round to the eventual Cup champion Florida Panthers. But Tampa Bay has the talent to regroup and contend again during the 2024-25 campaign.

In order for that to happen, though, the Lightning can't let Stamkos go.

With the offseason here, one of the big questions is whether Stamkos could leave Tampa Bay after 16 seasons and join a new franchise for the first time in his NHL career. The 34-year-old center is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Monday.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently reported that contract talks between Stamkos and the Lightning have continued. However, those discussions led to a situation still described as "status quo" as of Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared there's a "realistic scenario" that Stamkos hits the free-agent market before coming to terms on a new deal with Tampa Bay.

"I think the Lightning have known he'd prefer to stay," Friedman said on The Jeff Marek Show. "I think they gamble with that a bit. ... It's not going to be on his terms so much, it's going to be on their terms. So, does any part of him change his mind? Does any part of him say, 'You know what? I'd rather do this on my terms.' So, I don't have the answer to that yet, but I do think there is a scenario where that could happen, yes."

Of course, there's a possibility that Stamkos becomes a UFA and then still returns to Tampa Bay. But his play hasn't slowed down in recent years, and he could be an enticing target for other teams, too.

Stamkos recorded 40 goals and 41 assists in 79 games during the 2023-24 campaign. It marked the third consecutive season in which he tallied at least 81 points, as he's only two years removed from scoring a career-high 106 (2021-22 season).

It would make sense that Stamkos would want to stay with the only team he's played for his entire career, though. He's more than settled with the franchise, and he's now been the captain for more than a decade.

The Lightning shouldn't break the bank to keep Stamkos, but he also shouldn't ask them to do so. There should be a mutual ground that allows the franchise to keep one of its all-time greats, while he can continue to build his legacy and potentially help the team achieve even more success before his career is over.

Tampa Bay should look to make something happen before Monday. But if not, it can't let Stamkos get away in free agency.

The Lightning need their captain back, and Stamkos would again be in a great situation to achieve both individual and team success in the near future by returning for at least another season.