Steven Stamkos covets return to Tampa Bay for 17th season

Steven Stamkos has spent all 16 of his NHL seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and he's highly interested in continuing the relationship.

Stamkos, 34, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. But he said he had a preliminary conversation with Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois after Tampa Bay was eliminated from the postseason Monday night.

"I had a short conversation with (BriseBois) after (Game 5). He reached out to my agent," Stamkos said while cleaning out his locker on Wednesday. "That's all that we have right now, but for sure, hopefully, there's some discussions and you have to start somewhere, so I'm looking forward to that."

Tampa Bay's season ended with a 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round series. Stamkos scored five goals in the series.

Less than 48 hours after the setback, Stamkos detailed his decision process.

"At the end of the day, winning is still what fuels me," Stamkos said. "Being a big part of that culture fuels me. Obviously, certain things have changed now; I have an amazing young family that has put roots down in this city and really enjoy living here and playing here. From that perspective, the decision is more than just me now, and that's something that is amazing for me to have that and be in that situation.

"There's different factors than there were last time, but nothing's really changed in terms of my mindset and where I wanted to be and play, and that was here. So, that certainly hasn't changed."

The last time, Stamkos signed an eight-year, $68 million deal in June 2016.

Since then, the Lightning have won two Stanley Cup championship (2020, 2021) and Stamkos has produced three 40-goal seasons to raise his career count to seven.

Overall, the seven-time All-Star forward has 555 goals and 1,137 points in 1,082 games. His accomplishments include being a two-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner for leading the NHL in goals scored.

The Lightning's captain since March 2014, Stamkos continues to impress BriseBois.

"You all saw how from the trade deadline on 'Stammer' elevated his level of play, which was incredible to see," BriseBois said. "For someone who you can say has already earned his Hall of Fame plaque, has accomplished so much already, and has accomplished so much for so long, for him to play arguably his best two months of hockey of his career ... for him to do that at the time when our team needed it most was incredible."

BriseBois also said he would like to sign defenseman Victor Hedman to a new contract. The 33-year-old is entering the final season of a eight-year, $63 million deal.

Hedman had 13 goals and 63 assists in 78 games this season, his 15th with the Lightning.