Steven Stamkos made it clear he wants to stay in Tampa Bay. The star center told the Tampa Bay Times Saturday that he wants to sign a long term deal that would keep him with the Lightning.
"Like I've always said, I envision myself winning a championship here and want to do that," Stamkos told the Times. "Obviously we got close last year, and I'm the captain of this team and I want to be that leader."
Trade rumors have followed Stamkos since last spring when the forward was moved to the wing from his natural center position. There has been ongoing speculation that the move to the wing started a rift between Stamkos and head coach John Cooper.
The rumors gained momentum when Cooper received a contract extension from the Lightning earlier this month, while Stamkos continues to wait for a contract of his own. Stamkos, speaking to the Times, did his best to put those rumors to bed.
"There's been so many different articles written about 'Coop' and I," Stamkos said. "How do they know what's going on in the room? A lot of it is speculation. A lot of it is a story that needs something to make it seem legit, there needs to be a reason (he still doesn't have an extension). Why no one has had any concrete stuff is because there hasn't been anything to talk about."
Stamkos is in the final year of a five-year, $37.5 million dollar deal, and Lightning GM Steve Yzerman stated in June that signing Stamkos to a long term deal was a top priority for the club. However, with Christmas fast approaching, a deal is yet to be done.
"I think obviously the people who know me and are close to the situation know what's true and what's not true," Stamkos said.
