The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed star forward and team captain Steven Stamkos to new 8 yr deal worth 68 million in which Lightning Gm Steve Yzerman announced last night. This is fantastic news for this hockey club as they have been on the cusp of winning a stanley cup the past two seasons. Most thought that Stamkos had played his last game with the Lightning after the game 7 loss to the Penguins, but that isn't the case anymore. Stamkos has stated that he has unfinished business here and is determined to bring this city a stanley cup title again.
Tremendous job by Steve Yzerman and Stamkos's agent to get this done allowing Stamkos to continue his career in Tampa Bay. Stamkos's heart is with this organization and feels it has many great seasons ahead with hopefully multiple championships per tampabay.com.Excited to be back for 8 more years @TBLightning ! Here we go .....— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) June 29, 2016
"I grew up as a kid there," Stamkos said. "And this team is on the verge of hopefully competing for Stanley Cups for years to come and me being the captain and being a leader... I know the process took a lot longer than maybe both parties would have liked, but in every decision in life you want to make the best decision.The biggest news from this is that we could finally see Stamkos and young star Jonathan Drouin on the same line for this upcoming season which could be a very dynamic duo.
This is a great day for the Lightning and all of the fans in Tampa Bay. This team is going to be special during the 2016-17 season.Few months ago, some wondered if #TBLightning would lose both @RealStamkos91 + @jodrouin27. Now they could be on same line next season— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) June 30, 2016
