Tampa Bay Lightning finally re-sign Superstar Steven Stamkos to five-year, $37.5 million contract
It was bound to happen sooner or later as Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed their superstar player, Steven Stamkos, to a five-year contract, worth a reported $37.5 million, announced the team management on Tuesday, July 19.
Many analysts were of the view that Stamkos would be looking for bigger and better offers after spending three straight seasons with Tampa Bay, since according to Lightning's vice president and general manager, Steve Yzerman, all other team GM’s had a close
eye on the situation.
Yzerman answered to the situation by saying that negotiations are underway, and all things take time.
"The process takes some time", Yzerman said. "We started at this last fall and you watch the season unfold. Once you don't have a deal done prior to playoffs, you take time off there, which delays things. Then the season ends and we all take care of other
matters and negotiations. It just does take some time and some compromise on both sides to eventually reach a deal".
No doubt, Tampa Bay gambled when they did not sign Stamkos before a became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, which would enable other National Hockey League (NHL) franchises to contact and tender their offer sheets, but according to Stamkos, Tampa Bay
was where he wanted to stay.
Regardless of his current performance, which still does not stop amazing even the biggest players, Steve Yzerman believes that his best performing years are still ahead of him, and growing him is their duty.
"Let's all keep in mind he's only 21", Yzerman said of Stamkos. "He's played three years in the League and his best years are ahead of him. He's a very committed player, very serious about what he does”.
The first overall pick of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by Tampa Bay, has certainly proved himself of being worth of being called the first pick.
In his first three years, Stamkos has risen to the top levels of the game by having played 243 games in which he has scored 232 points (119 goals, 113 assists).
The Markham, Ontario, Canada native, ranked fifth in the league regarding points scored, and at the age of 21, he certainly is one of the top prospects in the league.
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