Jake Guentzel has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a long-term contract, leaving Steven Stamkos angry.
We are talking about a 7-year contract equal to or greater than the salary offered by the Hurricanes. ($8 million per year)
Stamkos found himself humiliated after Julien BriseBois, the general manager, offered him a peanut-sized contract extension (eight years and $3 million per year).
Stamkos, who marked the history of the franchise, sees his pride deeply touched. The situation degenerated when BriseBois showed Stamkos the exit door by offering him a derisory contract, while he offered Guentzel the moon.
The 34-year-old veteran, determined to prove his worth, is now willing to do anything to land a higher annual salary than Guentzel.
This decision by BriseBois to favor Guentzel, a younger player, to the detriment of Stamkos, created tension in the Lightning locker room. Several players are very frustrated with GM Julien Brisebois.
An angry Stamkos may well use this humiliation as motivation for his next destination…and his next paycheck.
As the free-agent market opens, Stamkos is the biggest fish. Let’s hope he at least agrees to talk to Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton.
RDS believes in it wholeheartedly. Here are the words of the Sports Network.
“The organization also finds itself in a very interesting position. The CH has more than $19 million of room to maneuver under the cap according to CapFriendly, a figure that assumes that Carey Price’s contract will end up on the long-term injured list.” (credit: RDS)
“They also kept most of their ammunition for a trade if the opportunity presents itself. In short, Hughes has a ton of flexibility to help his young core and he has already signaled his intention to be more aggressive than usual in the free-agent market, although he also made it clear that he wants to maintain a level of caution.”
When Kent Hughes talks about prudence, he doesn’t mean annual salary. Hughes and Gorton have previously said they are prepared to offer short-term contracts at a high annual salary. He just doesn’t want to be burdened with too long a contract.
Jake DeBrusk is the most realistic option, followed by Jonathan Marchessault…and Steven Stamkos…
As long as there is life…there is hope…
To be continued…
