Lightning Sign Steven Stamkos to Five-Year Contract

The Tampa Bay Lightning locked-up an important part of their future on Tuesday by signing center Steven Stamkos to a five-year contract worth $37.5 million. The deal will average out to $7.5 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Lightning, he had 45 goals and 46 assists for 91 points. In 243 career NHL games, he has 119 goals and 113 assists for 232 points. He shared the Rocket Richard Trophy with Sidney Crosby as the leading goal-scorer with 51 goals in 2010. This is an excellent signing for the Lightning, as Stamkos is a very important part of the team and the foundation of the franchise. He has outstanding goal-scoring ability, skates very well, has some two-way upside, and plays with a little grit. Stamkos has been a dynamic player for the Lightning thus far and will continue to make the franchise a competitive team in the league as his skills continue to improve.