TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is likely to hit the free agency market on Monday, according to reports.
Stamkos’s agent has reportedly told TSN’s Pierre LeBrun that he will be a free agent come Monday.
The NHL free agency period begins at Noon on Monday, and if the Lightning and Stamkos don’t have a new deal in place by then, he will be free to talk with other teams.
“If we had reached an agreement at this point, we would gladly have sent out a press release announcing the agreement,” General Florida Florida manager Julien BriseBois told reporters Friday morning, according to ESPN. “So as we stand here right now, we haven’t been able to reach an agreement yet. I don’t know if we will be able to reach an agreement.”
During a press conference last month after the team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, BrieseBois said getting a deal done with Stamkos was a top priority.
Stamkos was drafted by the Lightning in 2008 and has won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the team in 2020 and 2021. He’s also been with the team for two other Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2015 and 2022.
Stamkos is the Lightning’s all-time leader in goals, points, and games played. He’s been a team captain since 2014.
