JUST IN: Steven Stamkos made this major statement toward the elimination Stanley Cup playoffs due to….

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Steven Stamkos stated that he wanted to win another Stanley Cup with them. The club captain, who may soon become a free agent, declared on Wednesday that he wants to stay on the field with the group he has spent his entire incredible 16-season career with. After the Lightning’s most recent NHL playoff loss to the Florida Panthers, general manager Julien BriseBois said the team is eager to get Stamkos return and that talks with his agent have already begun.

BriseBois highlighted Stamkos’ noteworthy achievements during a pivotal time for the team and complimented him on his outstanding play, particularly in the months that followed the trade deadline. Stamkos, the all-time leader in points and goals with the Lightning, has proven to be a remarkable player, being selected to several All-Star teams and taking home the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy twice as the league’s top goal scorer.
Even though he was disappointed not to get a contract extension last season, Stamkos put on a strong show and recorded his seventh season with 40 goals or more.

Playing well near the end of the season, especially after March 8, was the 2008 draft’s top pick (ranked No. 1 overall). He finished with a total of 28 points—16 goals and 12 assists—and helped the Lightning bounce back from a poor start and several key player injuries so they might potentially qualify for the postseason.

“We had a difficult time qualifying for the playoffs this year, but we did it. We had the third-best record in the NHL from January 8 to April 5, when we clinched a playoff berth,” BriseBois said.
“I think we’ll be strong contenders again next year with the players we already have under contract,” he said. “We hope Stamkos plays for that team.”In 79 games this season, Stamkos, who was instrumental in the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021, scored 40 goals and provided 41 assists.

He became just the third player in franchise history to reach 100 points in the postseason with five goals against the Panthers in the first round of the playoffs. Stamkos thinks the Lightning are extremely close to contending for another Stanley Cup, despite their second straight year of elimination from the playoffs in the first round.