Steven Stamkos is beloved by Tampa Bay Lightning fans far and wide. Given that one year has successfully passed since his move to the Nashville Predators, join the conversation as we reflect on #91's historic signing away from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Just over one year ago, Lightning fans saw one of their worst nightmares come to life: Steven Stamkos no longer being a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In July of 2024, news broke out across the National Hockey League of Steven Stamkos walking in free agency from the Lightning in order to sign with the Nashville predators.
For many Lightning fans, this marked the end of an era: the Steven Stamkos era. “What does this move mean for the future? How would the Tampa Bay Lightning continue without their premier goal score? Will Tampa Bay ever be the same?” fans questioned. A whirlwind of questions soon became the primary storyline for the Tampa Bay Lightning fans that wild offseason.
While the lights were never quite the same in Amalie Arena since Stamkos left Tampa, the world still spins and life continues to go on. The Tampa Bay Lightning brought forward Jake Guentzel to the franchise along with J.J. Moser in a blockbuster trade. For many Lightning fans, this was the most change they had ever seen in a single offseason to their beloved team. With so much change in one franchise, an abundance of risk follows. While a general manager can work his absolute best to provide value for his team on paper, no general manager can tell one with 100% certainty how his team will perform. The Tampa Bay Lightning were resilient to make the most of a bad situation.
The 2024-2025 season saw the Tampa Bay Lightning pick up right where they left off in their quest for the Stanley Cup. Although the power play was not quite the same without Stamkos, the rest of the team stepped up to the plate. The Lightning saw Brandon Hagel take remarkable steps to become a point-per-game player, Nikita Kucherov post elite numbers, and Victor Hedman lead his team to the playoffs. While all Lightning fans certainly know the story of their team that season, whatever became of Steven Stamkos?
The Nashville Predators were a team ready to make a splash towards success. In order to escape the holes of mediocrity, the Nashville Predators made a load of signings headlined by Tampa’s very own Steven Stamkos. Nashville’s offseason brought promise to Nashville Predators fans of a successful season. As said prior, a general manager can do his best to construct a team on paper, but no general manager can tell one with 100% certainty how his team will perform. The Nashville Predators unfortunately did not make the playoffs during Stamkos’s first season with the squad. As per NHL.com, the Nashville Predators finished 30th in the NHL standings with a 30-44-8 record. The team underwhelmed fans who desperately hoped for a brighter future in Nashville. But still the question remains: what happened to Steven Stamkos?
Steven Stamkos unfortunately saw his worst season since the 2020-2021 NHL season where he only played 38 games as per NHL.com. Statistically, NHL.com lists Stamkos as having provided 53 points in 82 games. He ultimately did the best he could in a new situation. While his numbers are by no means lackluster, they were not what he was able to accomplish in Tampa Bay.
While Stamkos’s departure was not the most ideal situation, it is now in the past. Both parties must look towards the future and hope for a brighter horizon ahead. Look for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos to hopefully reach success in the future.
