SI

Steven Stamkos Bids Lightning Fans Goodbye As He Reportedly Nears Deal With Predators

Patrick Andres

April 9, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) passes the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Amalie Arena.
April 9, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) passes the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Amalie Arena. / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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Monday might have been the end of an era for fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In the morning, reports began to emerge that longtime Lightning center Steven Stamkos was set to sign with the Nashville Predators in free agency. Addressing speculation over his future, Stamkos took to social media to bid Tampa Bay fans farewell.

"Thank you Tampa... I don’t have the words yet... I will soon," Stamkos wrote. "It’s still too early to process. Just wanted everyone to know how thankful we are for 16 years as a bolt. My family and I are excited for the next chapter..."

Stamkos has played the entirety of his 16-year career with the Lightning, and he holds the franchise records for games played, goals and points. He has led the league in goals twice and won two Stanley Cups, cracking the 90-point barrier on five separate occasions over a 13-year span.

This season, Tampa Bay went 45-29-8 but lost in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year.

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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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