Ryan McDonagh Trade by Tampa Bay Lightning Puts Steven Stamkos’ Future in Question
On Wednesday, May 22, the Tampa Bay Lightning traded for Ryan McDonagh, a move that casts doubt on the future of franchise icon Steven Stamkos within the organization. However, there’s a possibility he might stay in Florida, potentially with the Panthers.
Despite the NHL announcing an increased salary cap of up to $88 million, the Lightning will still struggle to re-sign their captain Steven Stamkos, along with other pending free agents. This financial challenge could lead to Stamkos’ departure from Tampa Bay. Eric Beaston of Bleacher Report speculates that Stamkos might remain in Florida by joining the Stanley Cup finalist Panthers.
Beaston also considers other teams, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, as potential destinations but ultimately suggests Florida, depending on their handling of pending free agents. “The Florida Panthers, staring down their first Stanley Cup title, face the likelihood of losing some combination of Sam Reinhart, Nick Cousins, and Vladimir Tarasenko,” Beaston wrote. “Losing those players would create the necessary cap space to make such a signing possible.”
Evolving Hockey’s contract projections estimate Stamkos could secure a deal with an annual cap hit of around $8.5 million on the open market.
Steven Stamkos’ Intriguing Free Agency
Stamkos recently completed another impressive season with the Lightning, scoring 40 goals and assisting 41 in 79 games, despite being 34 years old and averaging 18:13 minutes per game in 2024.
As his eight-year, $68 million contract expires, Stamkos will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Over his 16-season career with the Lightning, he has amassed 1,137 points from 555 goals and 582 assists in 1,082 regular-season games. In the postseason, he has produced 101 points in 128 games, winning two of the four Stanley Cup Final series he led Tampa Bay through.
Despite the uncertainty, Stamkos expressed optimism about re-signing with Tampa Bay during his exit interview on May 3. “We’ll have to have those discussions, but I’m certainly excited that we’re going to have those. Then we can go from there,” Stamkos said. “At the end of the day, winning is still what fuels me. Being a big part of that culture fuels me.”
Cap Constraints Could Force Stamkos’ Exit from Tampa Bay
The Lightning’s recent acquisition of defenseman Ryan McDonagh, with a $6.75 million cap hit, adds complexity to their efforts to re-sign Stamkos. This move leaves them with approximately $5.3 million in projected cap space for the next season.
General Manager Julien BriseBois acknowledged the challenges posed by the salary cap but remained optimistic about retaining Stamkos. “We still have some cap space. Steven Stamkos isn’t signed yet. That’s ongoing. We’re still able, in my mind, to get something done that makes sense for the organization with Steven even after acquiring Ryan McDonagh,” BriseBois said on May 21.
Potential Destinations for Stamkos
Beaston also sees a case for the Maple Leafs. Stamkos, an Ontario native, could find a happy return to Canada by playing for Toronto. “Despite being a Leafs killer for most of his career, Stamkos grew up in Ontario as a fan of the team,” Beaston wrote. “Depending on what happens with Mitch Marner and his potential extension, Stamkos would provide the championship experience the team lacks and potentially overcome its six-decade Stanley Cup drought.”
However, Beaston concludes that “staying in Florida and closing out his career with a championship contender feels like the best option.”
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