Lightning GM: Stamkos to test free agency
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois revealed Saturday that team captain and longtime franchise fixture Steven Stamkos plans to become a free agent Monday.
"As of now, we've both agreed to go to July 1," the GM said, per NHL.com's Dan Rosen via his colleague, Mike Zeisberger.
BriseBois added that he didn't extend an increased offer to Stamkos despite trading away defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and forward Tanner Jeannot to clear cap space earlier in the day, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.
The Bolts executive explained that he went to Stamkos' agent after making the Sergachev trade, and both sides agreed on this outcome, per the Tampa Bay Times' Eduardo A. Encina.
Tampa Bay is reportedly targeting Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel, another potent scorer who's also a pending unrestricted free agent.
Stamkos is one of the highest-profile pending UFAs in this year's class.
The 34-year-old forward excelled this past season, racking up 40 goals and 41 assists over 79 games. His average ice time of 18:14 was his lowest since 2016-17, and he failed to drive possession at five-on-five with an expected goals for percentage of 48.04, according to Natural Stat Trick. However, the Lightning did control over 50% of the scoring chances (50.15) with Stamkos on the ice in those situations.
Stamkos has played his entire 16-year career with the Lightning, who drafted him first overall in 2008. He's helped them make numerous playoff runs, including back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 (though he played just one postseason game that year) and the abbreviated 2021 campaign.
The Markham, Ontario-born veteran is a two-time "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner who buried a career-high 60 goals in 2011-12. He's been exceptional in recent years, too, having established personal bests of 64 assists and 106 points in 2021-22.
Stamkos also tested the free-agent waters in 2016, garnering interest from the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs before re-signing with Tampa Bay on the eight-year, $68-million pact that expires Monday.