Steven Stamkos Envisions Remaining With Lightning Long-Term

Rejoice Tampa Bay Lightning fans!

After a summer full of teasing by numerous Canadian based media outlets, it sounds as if beloved team captain and NHL superstar Steven Stamkos has no interest in jetting home full time.

Quite the opposite in fact, as was eluded to during NHL All Star Media Day on Friday.

Steven Stamkos says similar to Kane and Toews, he envisions potentially signing an extension in July one year out before he becomes UFA.

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 23, 2015

Stamkos says he loves it in Tampa, team has a great future and he wants to part of it

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 23, 2015

Sorry Toronto Maple Leafs fans, but this is reality. Even without best friend Martin St. Louis, Stamkos wants to play for a legitimate contender. The Lightning are trending in that direction while the Leafs remain the butt of many jokes.

Even acquiring a player of Stamkos’ caliber won’t change things to the point where Leafs fans are happy (don’t say you’re happy now, as the jersey tossing lends no support to such a claim). In fact, it’ll probably make them more demanding of a Stanley Cup.

On the other hand, Lightning fans probably will view this day as a close second to the ‘Christmas’ where he actually signs the deal. Spoiler alert: It could occur as soon as July 1, 2015.

If he re-signs, the Lightning’s chances of being perennial playoff contenders for years to come get a thousand times better. Stamkos is one of the few NHLers who has an uncanny ability to change the direction of a game with a single shot.

While no final decision’s been made, all indications have the Markham, Ontario native shattering the hopes of Maple Leaf fans everywhere once and for all by signing a long-term deal to remain in Tampa Bay.

Could there be anything better than that?

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Lauren Burg

Tampa Bay Lightning Female Contributor

A lifelong sports fan, I grew up dreaming of becoming a sports writer. Following the 2004-05' lockout, my former boyfriend introduced me to hockey, specifically the Tampa Bay Lightning, and it was love at first sight. Now, I've graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's world-renowned journalism program (2009) and am doing everything possible to combine my two loves, writing and hockey, into a wonderful career. Currently a Staff Writer for Fansided's Lightning site "Bolts by the Bay" along with covering everything Bolts for HOHM. In my free time, I enjoy taking sports photographs, living my other dream of traveling to all 29 other NHL arenas for a game and reading sports biographies. Feel free to add me on Twitter (@TBLightning491).

@@TBLightning491

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