Some in the hockey world began to believe it only after seeing Steven Stamkos in a different NHL jersey. At one point in his career, it seemed like he was never going to leave the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, he has been with Tampa since 2008 and is now officially a member of the Nashville Predators. He signed a four-year contract with the franchise worth $32 million. Stamkos is a household name throughout the NHL, but for Predators fans who don't know much about him, a little background is in order.
Meet Stamkos in Sarnia
Prior to being selected first overall by the Lightning in the 2008 NHL Draft, Stamkos starred with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He first played for the club in 2006-07, recording 42 goals and 50 assists for a total of 92 points in 63 games. He also recorded six points (three goals, three assists) in four playoff games. He followed that season with a 105 point season (58 goals, 47 assists) in 61 games in the 2007-08 season. Stamkos went on to record 11 goals in nine postseason games.
The 2008 NHL Draft was packed with incredible talent, including Erik Karlsson, Jordan Eberle, Jacob Markstrom, and Alex Pietrangelo, but Stamkos was the obvious favorite to be the No. 1 pick. He was the central figure the team was built around. The Lightning were fresh off of an era in which they won the Stanley Cup in 2004, but struggled in the 2007-08 season despite having stars like Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. They needed someone else to breathe new life into the team, and Stamkos was exactly what they were looking for. When Stamkos entered the league, it quickly became clear that he was the perfect match for both of them.
Be one of the best
When Stamkos arrived in Tampa in 2008, Lecavalier and St. Louis were considered the best players in franchise history. They were great for the franchise, but the Stamkos era has since eclipsed the first. He wasn't responsible for all of Tampa's recent success, though. He was supported by superstars like Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Andrei Vasilievskiy.
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But Stamkos wore the “C” on his jersey and led the way both on and off the ice. For example, when the Lightning went to the 2020 Cup Finals, Stamkos was out for months with a lower-body injury. He ended up needing surgery to repair his core muscles. Stamkos worked to recover as best he could so he could play for the team. He was able to return for Game 3 of the Cup Finals against the Dallas Stars, and although his playing time was limited, he made an impact in the time he was on the ice. He scored a goal and Tampa took a 2-0 lead in the game. They ultimately won the game 5-2 and claimed the Cup. Stamkos, who overcame injury to return to the lineup, is the type of person a team wants as a captain. His performance motivates his teammates and sets an example for others to behave in the same way.
Stamkos' stats in Tampa included 1,137 points (555 goals, 582 assists) in 1,082 games played. He is the only player in Lightning history to reach 1,000 points with the club. For reference, the second-most in the organization's history was St. Louis' 953 points (the closest current Lightning player is Kucherov's 873 points). Stamkos led the organization in points and goals and was second to St. Louis in assists. He also played in the most games on the team, with Hedman second on that list with 1,052 games played.
Here's Stamkos' season-by-season stats in Tampa:
- 2008-09: 23 goals, 23 assists, 46 points in 79 games
- 2009-10: 51 goals, 44 assists, 95 points in 82 games
- 2010-11: 45 goals, 46 assists, 91 points in 82 games
- 2011-12: 60 goals, 37 assists, 97 points in 82 games
- 2012-13: 29 goals, 28 assists, 57 points in 48 games
- 2013-14: 25 goals, 15 assists, 40 points in 37 games
- 2014-15: 43 goals, 29 assists, 72 points in 82 games
- 2015-16: 36 goals, 28 assists, 64 points in 77 games
- 2016-17: 9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points in 17 games
- 2017-18: 27 goals, 59 assists, 86 points in 78 games
- 2018-19: 45 goals, 53 assists, 98 points in 82 games
- 2019-20: 29 goals, 37 assists, 66 points in 57 games
- 2020-21: 17 goals, 17 assists, 34 points in 38 games.
- 2021-22: 42 goals, 64 assists, 106 points in 81 games.
- 2022-23: 34 goals, 50 assists, 84 points in 81 games.
- 2023-24: 40 goals, 41 assists, 81 points in 79 games.
Additionally, Stamkos has played in 128 postseason games with the Lightning, scoring 50 goals and 51 assists for 101 points in that time. Specifically, he has appeared in the Cup Finals four times with the team. In the 2015 playoffs, he had seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 26 games. In the 2020 Cup, due to an injury, Stamkos only recorded one goal in one game. In the 2021 postseason, he had eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 23 games. Finally, in his most recent Cup Final appearance, Stamkos recorded 11 goals and 8 assists for 19 points in 23 games.
As for awards, Stamkos has won a number of accolades in addition to winning the Cup twice: he received the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2022-23, is a two-time winner of the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (2009-10 and 2011-12), and has also appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games.
Joining a powerhouse team in Nashville
The Predators' roster wasn't on track before the 2024 offseason, but it is now. General manager Barry Trotz added skill players to the roster by signing Stamkos along with winger Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skey. Stamkos and Marchessault join Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly and Gustav Nyquist on offense. They also have a talented defense that includes Romain Josi, Dante Fabbro, Luke Schon and Skey. And the team acquired star goaltender Jusé Saros, who should lead the team in front of goal for many seasons to come.
Coach Trotz has done a great job putting together a new team that is a Cup contender. If they aren't already a championship contender in 2025, they should be. They have to put it all together on the ice, but that's up to the players and head coach Andrew Brunette. Looking good on paper is always a risk, and they have to deliver on the ice. They are a team to watch. They have a lot of weapons in their lineup, and Stamkos has become one of the new faces of the organization and the Predators' next era.
