The Lightning and captain Steven Stamkos haven't begun negotiations for a contract extension, agent Don Meehan said Wednesday.
But that shouldn't be a cause for concern, mostly a reflection of how Tampa Bay's season didn't end until mid-June.
"For the moment, simply an issue of timing," Meehan told the Times.
Stamkos has one year remaining on his current deal, with a $7.5 million cap hit next season. General manager Steve Yzerman said re-signing Stamkos was his "No. 1 priority" this offseason. Stamkos is expected to warrant a deal in the range of the eight-year, $84 million extensions Blackhawks stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane signed last summer.