Yzerman won’t ‘close any doors’ on re-signing Steven Stamkos

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Tampa Bay Lightning pending unrestricted free agent center Steven Stamkos can now talk to other teams.

This development didn’t shock Tampa general manager Steve Yzerman who assumed Stamkos wouldn’t be re-signed before the unrestricted free agent interview period started Saturday at midnight.

Earlier in the evening, Yzerman said he “assumed” Stamkos would get to this point. What happens next with his 26-year-old captain is uncertain.

When asked if he still had confidence in re-signing Stamkos, Yzerman remained hopeful. Resignation of Stamkos potentially being lost on the open market for nothing hadn’t set in. Stamkos is a former 60-goal scorer with 312 career goals. He was drafted by Tampa with the No. 1 overall pick in 2008 and has been the face of the franchise since then.

In Stamkos’ time with the Lightning, the team has made three Eastern Conference Final appearances and made on Stanley Cup FInal.  

“I’m not going to – I wouldn’t rule anything out. I’m not going to close any doors,” he said. 

Yzerman was also asked if he could give particulars on a final offer to Stamkos.

“I haven’t given you anything all along, so why don’t we wait and see how it plays out,” Yzerman added.

The idea of a potential ‘sign and trade’ scenario for Stamkos after July 1 was brought up. The Lightning are the only team that can re-sign Stamkos for eight years, and if he wants the full term, but doesn’t want to stay in Tampa, this could give the Lightning some kind of asset for Stamkos provided it could work for all parties involved.

“Never given it a thought so maybe I should think about it,” Yzerman said. “It’s an interesting idea … well losing him for nothing or losing him for an asset? I’d love to get an asset for him.”

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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