NHL Rumors: Steven Stamkos to the Florida Panthers?

The NHL kicked off the 2023-24 season officially this week as training camps have started and already there's been some major headlines made across the league. More specifically, there's a giant story brewing out of Tampa Bay as Steven Stamkos made it very clear he's been disappointed by the lack of contract extension talks that took place over the summer.

Meanwhile, Lightning GM Julien BriseBois doubled down on the notion, stating the team was going to take a patient approach and see how the season plays out. Wrong answer. Stamkos is likely even more pissed after hearing this and needless to say, there's a story to follow out in Tampa this season.

What about next summer? Stamkos could be one of the biggest names on the free-agent market if things don't turn around with the Lightning. Insert the Florida Panthers as Sportsnet's Jeff Marek makes some valuable points with a recent quote from 32 Thoughts:

Marek on Stamkos (32TP): “If you allow a player like that to go to market, if you are the Florida Panthers who after this season have a lot of salary come off the books, you can offer the same financial incentives that Tampa can, last time I checked they play in the same state”
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) September 22, 2023

Friedman asks what to do Cirelli, Hagel, Kucherov, Point, Cernak, Hedman, Sergachev and Vasilevskiy all have in common?

They were all signed a year before they became UFA. Says if you’re Stamkos it’s hard not to look at that and wonder why he isn’t being taken care of?
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) September 22, 2023

Take a read of the full BriseBois comment below and be the judge if you think Stamkos lasts all season with the Lightning. Needless to say, what a curveball out of Tampa to start the season.

Here’s a full look at the comments from Julien BriseBois on the contract status of #Bolts captain Steven Stamkos. pic.twitter.com/VDEIcVnvgK
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) September 20, 2023

Stamkos makes $8.5 million against the cap this season and is coming off an 84-point campaign.

Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports