Tampa Bay Lightning C Steven Stamkos Has A Unique Opportunity
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos has been presented with an opportunity many people never have, to build a long-lasting legacy with the team that gave him his first shot.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos has spent every moment of his National Hockey League career in a Lightning jersey. After being drafted in the first round (1st overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Stamkos would immediately have an opportunity to make an impact on the league.
The very next season, Stamkos would make his on-ice debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Stamkos made his NHL debut on October 4, 2008, as the Tampa Bay Lightning took on the New York Rangers right here in the Bolts Nation. In his rookie season, Steven Stamkos would play in a total of 79 games. In that amount of time, Stamkos would bring home 23 goals and 23 assists for a total of 46 points.
If there is any word in the English dictionary that could be accurately used to describe Steven Stamkos it would be consistent. Despite injuries, illness, or anything else thrown in his path, the 26-year-old Ontario native has never failed to put up a 40-point season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Twice now, the Tampa Bay Lightning fans have been put through what has been coined by local media outlets as Stammergeddon. Every time the now-captain’s contract has come up and he had the opportunity to pick up his skates and find a new home, the rumors ran rampant. The most resounding rumor has been that Stamkos would be taking his talents to Toronto. As you can see, this has yet to happen.
Late last month, just before the door would open on the Free Agency Period and other teams in the National Hockey League could take their best shot at the young Lightning sniper, Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman was able to sign Stammer to an eight-year contract extension worth around $68 million.
Needless to say, there were just as many disappointed hockey fans as there were elated Lightning fans.
This means Steven Stamkos is currently under contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning until the conclusion of the 2023-24 season where he will once again be an Unrestricted Free Agent. At this point, Steven Stamkos will be 34 years old. Given the fact most players don’t play past their late 30’s, this would mean there is a very good chance Steven Stamkos will play his entire on-ice career as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
There is another person in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization who had this very same opportunity. Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman spent his entire 22-year NHL on-ice career as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Yzerman serves as an excellent example for Steven Stamkos when it comes to making goals and creating the foundation for your everlasting legacy.
Now that Steven Stamkos has been presented with this amazing opportunity, the ball is in his court as to what he does with it. From where we are standing, it seems as if Stamkos is ready to lace up his skates and do anything necessary to take his team to the top, even if that means doing it for a little less money.
"“We realize the chance that we have here, and it’s exciting,” Stamkos tells the Tampa Bay Lightning. “It’s something that motivates you. We want to obviously keep this core together as much as possible and go on runs for the next six, seven, eight years. We’ve given ourselves a chance with signing these contracts, and we’ll see how it plays out…We’re right on the edge (of winning a Stanley Cup). We’ve proven that we can win in the playoffs, and we can overcome adversity and obstacles thrown in our way. I’m looking forward to keeping as many of those guys together as possible and continuing to have a lot of success.”"
When Stamkos first took the reins as captain from former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis, Stamkos seemed a bit hesitant. Having just a few years under his belt in the National Hockey League and suddenly having this kind of responsibility thrust upon him is a lot for one person to take in.
Thankfully, as time has continued on, Stamkos has continued to grow as the leader of the team and has really made strides in bringing the team together and helping to cultivate the winning attitude the Tampa Bay Lightning has today.
If Stamkos truly wants to make a name for himself both here in the Bolts Nation and around the National Hockey League, there is just one more piece to the puzzle that needs to be firmly put into place.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone here in the Bolts Nation who doesn’t remember the name of former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier. Lecavalier was known here in the Tampa Bay community not only for his performance on the ice but his dedication to his community as well.
Lecavalier was instrumental in the development of a project that helps many people in the community and now bears his name; the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.
Now, we’re not suggesting that Stamkos go out and perform some grand gesture like that set forth by Vincent Lecavalier; however, If Stamkos were to really dig his feet into the ground and help grow the Tampa Bay Lightning’s community efforts and take them to a new level, that should certainly help the captain make a name for himself that won’t soon be forgotten by those in the Tampa Bay community.
Next: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman’s Off-Ice Mastery
The good news here is both Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning community have plenty of time to see how this all plays out. Stamkos is still very young and thanks to his new contract will be a member of the Lightning for many years to come. Judging by what we have seen in his time here in the Bolts Nation, this could turn out to be a match made in heaven for both the captain and the community.