Cooper: 'Nobody' replacing Stamkos, Guentzel will create own legacy
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper shut down the notion that marquee signing Jake Guentzel is replacing franchise legend Steven Stamkos.
"Let's cut this off right away," Cooper said Friday, according to team reporter Gabby Shirley. "Nobody is replacing Stammer. He has created a legacy here, and I think that is unfair to say. Jake is coming in here to create his own legacy."
Stamkos signed a four-year, $32-million contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1 after spending his entire career with the Lightning. He's the franchise leader in games played, goals, and points, and he had captained the team since 2014. Stamkos recorded 40 goals and 81 points in 79 contests last season.
Before letting Stamkos walk, Tampa Bay traded for Guentzel's rights and signed him to a seven-year contract with a $9-million cap hit. He tallied 30 goals and 77 points in 67 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes last season.
"Stammer should be celebrated for everything he has done here, but any other player who comes in here, regardless of if it is Guentzel or (Cam) Atkinson or (Zemgus) Girgensons, you go down the list, you cannot compare them to the legend that Stammer was here," Cooper added.
Stamkos called his exit from Tampa Bay "heartbreaking" in July, while general manager Julien BriseBois acknowledged he was "disappointed" the sides couldn't come to terms.
The Lightning host Stamkos and the Predators on Oct. 28.