NHL rumors: Steven Stamkos contract negotiations with Lightning 'could go right to wire'

Steven Stamkos has been the heart and soul of the Tampa Bay Lightning since he was drafted No. 1 overall by the organization in the 2008 NHL Draft. “This one could go right to the wire,” The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported on Friday. Complicating matters is the fact that the Lightning have followed up three straight championship appearances with back-to-back first-round exits. Tampa Bay was defeated in five games by the Florida Panthers in Round 1 in 2024, and were ousted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 just over a year ago.