NEWSLETTER
It’s the end of an era in Tampa Bay. Lightning captain and two-time Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos is on the move according to a report from Pierre LeBrun. The two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner is taking his talents to Nashville and will apparently be joining the Predators on a four-year deal worth around $8 million annually.
Steven Stamkos Signing With Predators
Stamkos and the Lightning did try to work out an extension for much of this season, but the two sides never really felt like they got all that close to a mutual agreement. The last report on their negotiations was that Tampa offered their now former captain an eight-year extension, but worth only $3 million per season annually. Steven Stamkos’ offer from Nashville now will apparently pay him nearly $32 million over the next four years, so that’s $8 million more over half the time frame.
Yesterday, Tampa Bay acquired the rights to negotiate with Jake Guentzel from the Hurricanes, and when that happened it pretty much signaled the end of the Stamkos era in Tampa Bay. This morning, Guentzel inked a seven-year, $63 million agreement with the Lightning.
It’s been a hot start to free agency this far, and the Central Division has been quite active. Nashville has not only agreed to a deal with Stamkos but also reportedly with Vegas winger and Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Marchessault. According to Pierre LeBrun, that deal is worth $5.5 million annually over five years. So after their first-round exit, Nashville is loading up on goal scorers with Cup experience. So far they’re one of free agency’s big winners.
Not only has Nashville been active, but the Blackhawks have too. They’ve agreed to deals with Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and Alec Martinez. Martinez’s one-year deal brings them some veteran stability on the blue line that can help the transition and growth of the Hawks’ deep pool of young defensive talent. Teravainen and Bertuzzi bring some much-needed top-six forward depth and a pair of 20+ goal-scorers that further give Connor Bedard more skilled wingers to play with.
It’s still early in free agency, but it’s been a nice day so far for the Central Division.
