For some in hockey, it took seeing Steven Stamkos in one other NHL sweater to imagine it. It appeared at sure factors in his profession that he was by no means leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nevertheless, after being in Tampa since 2008, he’s formally a member of the Nashville Predators. He signed a four-year contract with the franchise for $32 million. Whereas Stamkos is a well-known title all through the NHL, some background must be supplied for Predators followers who might not know a lot about him.
Seeing Stamkos in Sarnia
Earlier than he was chosen first total by the Lightning within the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Stamkos grew his sport within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sarnia Sting. He first suited up for the membership in 2006-07. In 63 video games, he posted 42 objectives and 50 assists for 92 factors. He additionally tallied six factors in 4 playoff video games (three objectives and three assists). He adopted up that marketing campaign with a 105-point efficiency in 61 video games for the 2007-08 season (58 objectives and 47 assists). Stamkos additionally had 11 objectives in 9 postseason contests after that.
In a 2008 NHL Draft stuffed with phenomenal abilities like Erik Karlsson, Jordan Eberle, Jacob Markstrom, and Alex Pietrangelo, amongst others, Stamkos was the clear-cut favourite to go first. He was somebody to construct a franchise round. The Lightning had been coming off an period that included a Stanley Cup championship in 2004, however they struggled in 2007-08 regardless of nonetheless having stars like Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. They wanted another person to breathe new life into the roster, and Stamkos match what they had been on the lookout for. As soon as Stamkos entered the league, it quickly turned obvious that it was a match made in heaven for either side.
Turning into One of many Finest
When Stamkos joined Tampa in 2008, Lecavalier and St. Louis had been the most effective gamers ever talked about for the franchise of their historical past. They had been excellent gamers for the group, however the Stamkos Period has since taken over what that unique period was. Certainly not was all of the success that Tampa has had in latest seasons all on him, as he had different superstars round him like Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Level, and Andrei Vasilevskiy serving to out as effectively.
Associated: Steven Stamkos’ Affect on the Development of Hockey in Tampa
Nevertheless, Stamkos wore the ‘C’ on his jersey and led the way in which on and off the ice. For instance, when the Lightning made the 2020 Cup Remaining, Stamkos had handled a lower-body damage that sidelined him for a number of months. He ended up needing surgical procedure to restore his core muscle. Stamkos labored on his restoration as a lot as doable to get again to enjoying on the staff. He was in a position to come again for Sport 3 of the Cup Remaining towards the Dallas Stars, and whereas he was restricted in enjoying time, he made an influence within the period of time he was on the ice. He scored a aim, and Tampa took a 2-0 lead within the sport. They ended up successful 5-2 and ultimately gained the Cup. Stamkos preventing his manner by damage again into the lineup is the kind of character a staff needs in a captain. It’s motivational for the remainder of his teammates and units an instance for different gamers to hold themselves in the identical manner.
As for his stats in Tampa, Stamkos completed his time there having performed in 1,082 video games and produced 1,137 factors in that span (555 objectives and 582 assists). He’s the one Lightning participant who has hit 1,000 factors with the membership of their historical past. For perspective, the second-best within the group’s historical past was St. Louis with 953 factors (Kucherov is the closest present Lightning participant with 873 factors). Stamkos leads the group in factors and objectives and completed second in assists to St. Louis. He additionally has performed essentially the most video games for the staff, with Hedman second on that checklist with 1,052 video games performed.
Stamkos’ stats season-by-season for Tampa are under:
- 2008-09: 23 objectives and 23 assists for 46 factors in 79 video games
- 2009-10: 51 objectives and 44 assists for 95 factors in 82 video games
- 2010-11: 45 objectives and 46 assists for 91 factors in 82 video games
- 2011-12: 60 objectives and 37 assists for 97 factors in 82 video games
- 2012-13: 29 objectives and 28 assists for 57 factors in 48 video games
- 2013-14: 25 objectives and 15 assists for 40 factors in 37 video games
- 2014-15: 43 objectives and 29 assists for 72 factors in 82 video games
- 2015-16: 36 objectives and 28 assists for 64 factors in 77 video games
- 2016-17: 9 objectives and 11 assists for 20 factors in 17 video games
- 2017-18: 27 objectives and 59 assists for 86 factors in 78 video games
- 2018-19: 45 objectives and 53 assists for 98 factors in 82 video games
- 2019-20: 29 objectives and 37 assists for 66 factors in 57 video games
- 2020-21: 17 objectives and 17 assists for 34 factors in 38 video games
- 2021-22: 42 objectives and 64 assists for 106 factors in 81 video games
- 2022-23: 34 objectives and 50 assists for 84 factors in 81 video games
- 2023-24: 40 objectives and 41 assists for 81 factors in 79 video games
Moreover, Stamkos suited up for 128 postseason video games for the Lightning, and he accrued 50 objectives and 51 assists for 101 factors in that span. Particularly, he made the Cup Remaining with the staff on 4 events. Throughout the 2015 playoff run, he scored seven objectives and 11 assists for 18 factors in 26 video games. For the 2020 Cup run, because of his damage, Stamkos solely posted one aim in a single sport. The 2021 postseason noticed him get eight objectives and 10 assists for 18 factors in 23 video games. Lastly, in his most up-to-date Cup Remaining look, Stamkos tallied 11 objectives and eight assists for 19 factors in 23 video games.
As for awards, Stamkos has gained many moreover the Cup twice. He gained the Mark Messier NHL Management Award in 2022-23 and is a two-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner (2009-10 and 2011-12). He has additionally appeared in seven NHL All-Star Video games.
Becoming a member of a Loaded Roster in Nashville
If the Predators’ roster was not heading in the right direction earlier than the 2024 offseason, they’re there now. Basic supervisor Barry Trotz signed Stamkos, together with winger Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei, and added them to a roster with a whole lot of ability. Stamkos and Marchessault joined an offense with Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist, amongst others. In addition they have a stellar protection that features Roman Josi, Dante Fabbro, Luke Schenn, and now Skjei. Then, the staff locked up their star goalie, Juuse Saros. He’ll cleared the path between the pipes for a lot of seasons.
Trotz did a wonderful job placing collectively a brand new core that could be a Cup contender. If they don’t seem to be within the dialog to win all of it in 2025, they need to be. They nonetheless should carry all of it collectively on the ice, which might be as much as the gamers and head coach Andrew Brunette. Trying good on paper can at all times be harmful; they need to accomplish sufficient on the rink. They’re a staff to be careful for. They’ve a whole lot of weapons all through their lineup, and Stamkos has change into one of many new faces of the group and this subsequent period for the Predators.
