I must admit, I am a Steven Stamkos fan, through and through. In fact, he may be my favorite player in the NHL. At the ripe old age of 12, I began following him religiously when he entered the league in 2008 and showcased his natural goal-scoring ability (remember his 60 goals in 2011-12?). So it is not easy for me to write this article concerning his contract because I want him to receive what he deserves. That being said, Steven Stamkos’ contract negotiations with the Tampa Bay Lightning sadly remind us that the National Hockey League is a business, and money will always complicate matters.
Our story begins about one month ago when it was reported that the Lightning captain was “disappointed” with contract negotiations between him and the organization. The future Hall of Famer is in the final year of his 8-year, $68 million deal, and he has reiterated time and again his desire to retire with the organization that drafted him. General manager Julien BriseBois, however, has made it clear that any talk of a new contract will wait until after the season.
BriseBois’ exact words were, “I need to see how the pieces of the puzzle fit this year. After the season, once I’ve gathered that information, I can work with Steven and his agent on a contract structure that would be in the best interest of both sides.”
Call me biased, but I cannot help but read that and think, “Oof.” It is not a resounding affirmation from BriseBois that the two parties will finalize something. The disconnect shocked me. We are discussing one of the purest goal scorers in NHL history, with the accomplishments and accolades to match his talent. A quick rundown will remind you that Stamkos has two Stanley Cup Championships, two Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies, a Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, and one 60-goal season, all while maintaining a point-per-game pace.
Stamkos’ production in recent year does little to convince us that he is in serious decline. In 2021-22, he had a career season with 106 points at the age of 31, and last year he finished with 84 in 81 games. Of course, at 33, his numbers will drop, but he already has three goals and five assists in six games this year. My point is, the on-ice value is still elite. All this does not even consider the intangible assets Stamkos brings to the Lightning locker room and organization.
How committed is Steven Stamkos to the Tampa Bay Lightning? How badly does he (and did he) want to win? We need only look to the 2020 playoffs, when he returned from a core muscle injury to play five shifts in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Dallas Stars. His goal in Game 3 led the Lightning to a 5-2 victory, 2-1 series lead, and eventual Stanley Cup Championship. That game and those shifts were all Stamkos’ ice time in the playoffs.
The man competes every single game for the Lightning, and under his leadership, the organization went to three straight Stanley Cup Finals. Let’s compare him to players with similar accomplishments: Sidney Crosby (36), Anze Kopitar, (36), and Alex Ovechkin (38). Crosby has won three Cups, including back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017. Kopitar made the Kings kings of the NHL in 2012 and 2014. The Great Eight finally hoisted Lord Stanley in 2018 after a long, long wait.
How were each rewarded for their contributions to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, and Washing Capitals respectively? Crosby is on a 12-year deal that will bring him through the 2024-25 season. Kopitar signed an eight-year, $80 million contract in 2016 after the Kings’ Cups. Then, this past summer, he agreed to a two-year, $14 million extension that will take him to the age of 38. Ovechkin signed a 5-year, $47.5 million contract in 2021 that will not end until he is, wait for it, 40 years old.
Crosby committed long-term to the Penguins at a bargain because he wanted to win and leave cap space for other players like Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. When his contract ends, if he does not retire, can you even imagine Penguins GM Kyle Dubas entertaining the idea of not signing Crosby? For an even more direct comparison to Stamkos, we need not look any further than Anze Kopitar, whose short-term deal might be too much money, but clearly Kings GM Rob Blake wants Kopitar to retire a King and recognizes his value to the organization. Upon news of Kopitar’s extension, Blake said:
“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that will keep Anze in Los Angeles as our group takes the next step in competing for a Stanley Cup. He is the heart and soul of this team as our captain and he will continue to play a major role on our club.”
Meanwhile, Ovechkin’s $9.5 million annual cap hit is overpay, but, has he not, at least to some degree, earned it? He brought the organization their first ever Stanley Cup and is currently pursuing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. Again, try to image Alex Ovechkin in a jersey other than the Washington Capitals. It simply would be unnatural.
Crosby, Kopitar, and Ovechkin are the most important players in each franchises’ history. For 20 years, they have pulled the same jersey over their shoulder pads, and each will retire with the team that drafted him. The same should be true for Steven Stamkos.
Steven Stamkos has accomplished all this for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Along with his two Cups and Rocket Richard Trophies, he leads the organization in goals (518), points (1064), even-strength goals (317), power-play goals (196), game-winning goals (79), and hat tricks (11). If that is not enough, he has tallied 95 points in 123 playoff games. And do not forget that he has captained the organization since 2014.
Steven Stamkos deserves commitment from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the same commitment he has given the organization since he entered the league in 2008. He has earned it, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. What has Stamkos not accomplished that Crosby, Kopitar, and Ovechkin have? Look how these players were treated.
Of course, the Lightning are in a difficult situation with the salary cap. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported, “Stamkos clearly wants to remain with the Lightning. But he has seen other players get taken care of and wants to be paid what he believes he’s worth—not just take whatever is left over. BriseBois has said he wants Stamkos to retire in Tampa Bay but also to be contending for Cups while he’s doing it. Given the current state of the team, you can see the chasm.”
It will take maneuvering by GM Julien Brisebois to re-sign Stamkos. Make it happen. At the very least, approach him, communicate with him, reinforce to him that you want it to work. Someone like Stamkos would surely entertain a smaller payout to remain a Bolt. But who can blame Stamkos for feeling frustrated and disappointed by the lack of commitment?
This takes us to the title of this piece. Unfortunately, no matter how much you love a player, no matter what a player has done for an organization, the NHL remains a business. In this business money, competing, and winning matter. As clear as the case is for the Tampa Bay Lightning re-committing to Steven Stamkos, the money muddies the waters and can cause seemingly unnecessary controversy. Let’s hope, for the sake of Stamkos and the Lightning, each party works this out. It will be good for the player, the organization, and the League.
Featured Image: Nick Turchiaro, USA TODAY Sports
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