End Of An Era In The Bay

Sixteen years of service. That's what the Tampa Bay Lightning got out of Steven Stamkos. He was the big name that was on the free agent market. There had been some hope that a deal would get done to keep Stammer in a Lightning jersey. Steven even said he really wanted to stay in the Bay. That era came to an end today, when Stamkos signed a four year deal at $42 Million, which comes to $8 Million a year.

There's so much to digest take out of all of this.

From the Lighting point of view is where we going to start. You going to have to find a way to replace two different aspects of Steven Stamkos. First is the point production. He's a forty goal scorer. He was a regular at being able to find the back of the net. Over 500 goals (all in a Bolts uniform) is proof of that ability. To try and replace that, Jake Gentzel was traded for and signed to a long term contract. It might not get the exact desired result, but it's what Bolts management is hoping for (more on that later).. To try and fill the role of captain, that's too be determined. Whoever that is, is going to have some big skates to fill. Stamkos knew how to be able to carry himself both on and off the ice and lead the way for this hockey club. He set the bar very high for being a captain for this Tampa Bay hockey club.

Tampa Management dropped the ball here. It has been well document that both sides tried to reach a deal to keep Steven here before the free agency period kicked off today. Julien BriseBois many feel could have handled this whole situation better. By not getting this done before the start of last season. The way he handled this and not getting his captain back here where he belongs in Tampa, a place Stamkos has said he would have loved to stayed after playing his whole career to this point, is such a sad state of affairs. Look, most of us understand that this is a business, and every teem goes through rebuilding phases. This maybe the start of one in Tampa with Stamkos going out the door. But the timing didn't seem right and the way Stamkos left leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouths of a lot of people around the organization. From management to players to fans alike.

As for Stamkos himself, he will still going to prove in Nashville that he has a lot left in the tank. He is going in to help a Nashville team that is right now full blow in win now mode in a tough and talent heave Western Conference. Predators GM Barry Trotz has a game plan and went out to get players he felt he could help bring the Cup to the Music City.

There's more to this in the days to come as free agency continues. But the immediates fall out is shock and disappointment from the Tampa faithful.

Thanks for everything you did here in Tampa Steven and best of luck in Nashville!