Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper recently spoke about Steven Stamkos.
During the offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning notably lost franchise legend Steven Stamkos. After the Lightning did not sign Stamkos to a new contract, he joined the Nashville Predators on a four-year, $32 million deal.
However, the Lightning did make a big splash this summer, signing Jake Guentzel to a seven-year, $63 million contract. He is expected to now be a long-term part of the Lightning's top six.
While Guentzel is a legitimate star, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters that he does not view him as a replacement for Stamkos. When asked about that, here is what Cooper said on the matter:
"Let's cut this off right away. Nobody is replacing Stammer. He has created a legacy here, and I think that that is unfair to say. Jake is coming in here to create his own legacy. I've been on the ice for one practice, and it is eye-opening to see how good he is and his hockey sense and how he knew where to be. You can tell he's got some special skills, and he's got a special mind. There is that term people say, 'He's a hockey player.' Jake Guentzel is a hockey player."
In addition, Cooper also had this to say about Stamkos being a Lightning legend:
"Stammer should be celebrated for everything he has done here, but any other player who comes in here, regardless of if it is Guentzel or Atkinson or Girgensons, you go down the list, you cannot compare them to the legend that Stammer was here."
It is hard to argue against Cooper's viewpoint on Stamkos. Stamkos will forever be known as one of the Lightning's greatest players, and expecting Guentzel or any newcomer to make the same impact as him is simply unrealistic.
In 16 seasons as a Bolt, Stamkos had 555 goals, 582 assists, and 1,137 points. In addition, he captained the Lightning to two Stanley Cups, won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy twice (2010 & 2012), and made seven All-Star Game appearances.
