It’s you who is sobbing, not me. The signing of Steven Stamkos by the Nashville Predators, fuck me, marks the end of an era in Tampa Bay’s hockeytown.
The Tennessean broke the news today, the opening day of the NHL’s free agency period, stating that the 1998 No. 1 overall selection had secured a four-year contract for $8 million per season.
The 34-year-old captain, who led the Lightning to win two Stanley Cups while spending 16 years in Tampa Bay, praised the city on Twitter and said he still struggles to put into words how he feels.
“It’s too soon to make sense of it. “Wanted to express our gratitude to everyone for our 16 years as a bolt,” he added. “I am eager for the new chapter with my family.
Stammer registered 1,802 games played for the Lightning, with 555 goals and 582 assists. He played in 79 games last season, tallying 40 goals and 41 assists. Stamkos led the Bolts with five goals in their first-round loss to the Florida Panthers, who went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2024.
The management administration and supporters of Tampa Bay were adamant that Stamkos play for just one team. However, unlike in 2016, when Stammer and the Bolts reached a long-term agreement prior to free agency, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois—who has recently added some incredible players to Tampa Bay’s roster—was unable to reach an agreement with Stamkos’ agent, who informed reporters that the Toronto native would be hitting the market today.
I will miss Stammer’s appearances at the Greenwise Publix, where he carried himself and appeared like a typical person, even though he was one of the best players of all time and unquestionably the finest to wear a Lightning jersey (sorry, Vinny, I love you too).
Here’s perhaps the most spectacular of Stamkos’ 555 goals for your enjoyment (IYKYK).
While Bay Area hockey fans are grieving over Steven Stamkos’s passing, local soccer supporters are presumably holding up rather well. The Tampa Bay Rowdies are in playoff contention as the conclusion of the regular season draws near, while the city’s upcoming women’s club is in training ahead of its first season.
Furthermore, simultaneous international competitions involving teams from Europe (Eurocup) and North and South America (Copa América) are taking place. The second Copa América semifinal will feature a GOAT of South American football in Tampa, so you might want to leave the home for that one even if the finals of both tournaments aren’t until July 14.
The Hard Rock Cafe inside Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will hold a viewing party for Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who is badass enough to just go by his first name. The 44-year-old Brazilian icon of FC Barcelona is well-known for his off-field charm worthy of a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner, in addition to his elastico dribble. There is a limited space for this event, so it is advised to get at the café early. Don’t worry, though; the U.S. Men’s National Team has already blown it in the Copa group stage.
