MAJOR | Lightning star throws team's management under the bus

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Cooper Godin
September 20, 2023 (8:17)

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The Tampa Bay Lightning had a pretty early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, being bounced in the first round at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As soon as the season came to an end and once July 1st hit, Lightning captain Steven Stamkos was hoping to sign an extension with the team and expressed his interest in remaining with the team for the rest of his hockey career.

So far, there haven't been really any talks on that front and while meeting with the media in Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Stamkos told reporters that he is frustrated with the lack of contract talks with the team.

"To be honest I've been disappointed in the lack of talk in that regard. So it was something that I expressed at the end of last year that I wanted to get something done before training camp"

When asked if he was willing to negotiate with the team during the regular season, Stamkos said:

"I'm ready whenever so I guess that was something that that I didn't see see coming but it is what it is.

Like I stated at the end of last year, too. I would love to extend and play here and finish up my career here but that's out of my hands. I can't write a contract for myself."

Stamkos, 33, has spent his entire career with the Lightning after they selected him with the first-overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and has been a key piece to the franchise since entering the league. Stamkos has led the Lightning to two Stanley Cups, while scoring 515 goals in 1,003 games so far.

Given Stamkos' importance to the franchise, especially as their captain, it's a little strange to see that the Lightning have not discussed a new contract with him. While there's still plenty of time to get a deal done, it's certainly understandable to see why Stamkos' frustration.

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