Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman issued a statement today that they won’t be trading Steven Stamkos before the February 29th trade deadline.
“I have said repeatedly that it is our hope to reach an agreement with Steven on a new contract at some point,” Yzerman said. “And with 27 games remaining in the season, our entire organization, Steven included, wants to focus on making the playoffs. I will keep the negotiating process strictly between the involved parties and have no further comment on the state of those negotiations.”
The Lightning and Stamkos can now focus getting into the playoffs and making another Cup run.
They now run the risk of losing Stamkos on July 1st for nothing, but they will continue to work on an extension.