TORONTO -- The cameras had long gone when Steven Stamkos emerged from the visitors' dressing room Tuesday night and walked over to his parents to give them a hug.
It's a scene no doubt that's repeated itself many a time during the 25-year-old's hockey life, one which began as a youngster growing up in these parts.
The multimillion-dollar question is whether it's a scene that will repeat itself on a nightly basis in this building starting next season.
Was it weird, the Tampa Bay Lightning captain was asked by a media throng after the game, to come home for this game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with his pending unrestricted free-agent status dominating the headlines in these parts, long-suffering fans here dreaming -- or is it drooling?