BY Mike Rifkin
Monday night the Florida Panthers eliminated their in-state rivals the Tampa Bay Lighting from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 6-1 win in game 5. But that’s just one of the major storylines coming out of this game, the other happens on the other side of town.
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign anywhere as of July first. Stamkos, the number one overall pick in 2008 has lived up to the hype and then some. Over the Stamkos era the Lightning won two Stanley Cups and made five appearances. Stamkos is the franchise leader in Games played (1,082), Goals (555), Points (1,137), Power Play Goals (214), game winning goals (85). Stamkos has 50 career playoff goals including five against Florida this year.
When you think of a Mount Rushmore of Lightning players Stamkos has to be on there. Head Coach Jon Cooper said after the game he (Stamkos) feels like a Bolt for life, and I agree. I put Stamkos in the same ilk I do Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Not because they’re all captains, but because they changed a trajectory for a franchise and became not only franchise icons, but hockey icons.
Now have franchise players left and played elsewhere? Yes, but I think as fans no matter the team root for guys who play their whole career in one spot. When you look at the Lightning franchise, they’d won one Cup (2004) prior to Stamkos arriving there, and then they became a juggernaut. Now because of a hard salary cap it might be hard for the Lighting to sign Stamkos to a deal, but if they can Stamkos can retire a member of the Lightning. But until he signs somewhere let Stamkos’ watch begin.
The Sports Insanity Network 