Lightning to Begin Contract Talks With Stamkos

[Phil The Thrill]

With their season now complete, the Tampa Bay Lightning will focus on locking up several of their key free agents prior to July 1.
Forwards Sean Bergenheim and Simon Gagne, and defenseman Eric Brewer, can become unrestricted free agents this summer, and the Bolts would like to have all three back in a Lightning uniform.

Goaltending is also another area of concern, as both Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith are also scheduled to be UFAs. However, it's believed Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will explore his goaltending options via the free agent market.
Yzerman's primary focus, though not a concern, is signing superstar center Steven Stamkos to a new contract.

Stamkos, 21, is in the final year of his current deal. His agent, Mark Guy, told TFP he expects to meet with the Lightning "in the near future" to discuss a multi-year agreement.

Sources tell TFP a five-year contract is likely, though negotiations could sway that length in either direction.

TFP first reported in April that the two sides would not commence negotiations until after the Lightning's season was complete.

"He's one of the great young players in the game, so we'll do everything we can to get it done," Yzerman told the St. Petersburg Times. "It will get done at some point."

The Fourth Period

 

[The Guid]

They'll get it done. I'm more curious to see if they can keep Bergenheim, Gagne, and Brewer too.