Stamkos staying with Tampa
The biggest prize in NHL free agency has elected to stay home, as Steven Stamkos has signed a new deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Stamkos took to Twitter on Wednesday night to tweet, “Excited to be back for 8 more years @TBLightning! Here we go.” According to ESPN, an NHL source has indicated that the contract is with $8.5 million annually and includes a full no-movement clause for all eight seasons.
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According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Lightning are currently listed with 14/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup next season. They also currently have 15/2 odds to win the Eastern Conference Championship
Stamkos has spent his entire NHL career with Tampa Bay, beginning in the 2008-09 season. He has recorded 312 goals and 562 points in his eight seasons. Last year, Stamkos had 36 goals and 28 assists in 28 games. Still, he was considered the top prize in free agency with many suitors. The Lightning are coming off a 97-point season where they made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. That all happened with Stamkos playing in just one playoff game due to injury.
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