TAMPA — An underwhelming free-agent crop leaves little for the Lightning, or any of the other 29 teams for that matter, to eye any sort of big prize.
So while Tampa Bay did re-sign pending free agents Andrej Sustr and Mike Angelidis to new deals on Tuesday, when the free-agency window opens, all eyes in Lightning land will be on captain Steven Stamkos’ status.
The free-agent market opens at noon today, and Stamkos will become eligible to sign a contract extension. The two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner is entering the final year of a five-year contract he signed after the 2011 season.