Friedman Gives Massive News on Steven Stamkos Future with the Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been fortunate to host Steven Stamkos as their biggest star for the past 15-years, but now, it appears the cracks in the relationship are growing.

A shocking update

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, there is an underlying belief within the Lightning organization that the team wouldn't be crushed if their biggest and brightest star, potentially in franchise history were to depart.




Stamkos' contract is up at the end of the coming season, and now it's becoming more and more evident that he may be on the way out, with the potential for a trade even becoming a real possibility.

The franchise's greatest star?

No. 91 was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick back in the 2008 NHL Draft, and in 15-years with the organization, the belief was that he is a very respected star among the Lightning and the NHL as a whole.

In that time, Stamkos has played in 1,003 games, scoring at more than a point per game while leading Tampa Bay to two Stanley Cup Championships, but now, the perception has shifted, and it would be a shock now if he remains with the team.