Steven Stamkos mum on no-move clause plan as trade deadline approaches
Steven Stamkos holds a lot of the power in his current contract situation with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Part of this comes from the fact that the 26-year-old Stamkos has a no-movement clause. On Thursday Stamkos was asked him how he would handle the no-move clause if Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman asked him to waive it. The NHL’s trade deadline is Feb. 29 and Stamkos is a pending unrestricted free agent.
“I think the answer is we’ll cross that bridge at the time,” Stamkos said. “I don’t think it’s that time right [now]. So, I continue to come to the rink every day as the leader that I am and the teammate that everyone in this room knows that I am, and give my best effort. I’ve said that since Day 1 of training camp and that hasn’t changed.”
He was also asked if he would not waive it, just order to end speculation and move forward with the Lightning for the remainder of the season.
“We’ve kept everything to ourselves and I know it (stinks) for you guys (media), I totally understand. But I think you can appreciate the way we’ve conducted doing business and whatever happens in the next couple weeks, there’s obviously going to be some answers.”
TSN notes that saying so would to antithetical to the secrecy of negotiations agreed upon between the Lightning and his agent, Don Meehan.
To come out and say he would not accept a trade if one was presented would be to go against everything Stamkos and agent Don Meehan have done and said so far. Yzerman has kept that pact of silence and has not negotiated through the media. Moreover, it is a hypothetical situation. There is no reason for Stamkos to paint himself into a corner.
Meehan went on Sportsnet 590 in Toronto on Wednesday and didn’t say much as far as the talks with the Lightning.
“They’re productive. All of our discussions have been productive, they’ve been professional,” he said. “Tampa understands and appreciates the fact that Steven has every right and ability to take as much time as necessary to make a decision in relation to his future. That’s really what we’re engaged in at this point in time.”
Stamkos is in the final season of a five-year $37.5 million contract. The Lightning reportedly offered Stamkos, a former 60-goal scorer, an eight-year deal worth $8.5 million per-season. It’s believed Stamkos will command near $12 million per-year.
Stamkos has 21 goals and 19 assists in 53 games played this year.
MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY
– – – – – – –
Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
