Steven Stamkos is hitting the free agent market.
The first time we considered this possibility was back in 2016, before Stamkos signed an eight-year deal worth $68 million with the Tampa Bay Lightning two days before July 1. But this time is different. Both Stamkos' agent Don Meehan and Lightning GM Julien BriseBois have indicated that the star forward is "going to July 1" this summer.
How we got here: Before the season, Stamkos publicly addressed his frustration over a lack of substantive contract extension talks with the Lightning. BriseBois said he wanted to wait until after the season to see what the Tampa Bay roster needed, and then would offer Stamkos something within the financial confines of addressing those needs.