Steven Stamkos has been synonymous with the Tampa Bay Lightning since he was drafted first overall in 2008. He has done just about everything the organization could want in his time in Tampa. However, his time with the Lightning may soon be over.
Hagel Signs In Tampa
Brandon Hagel signed an 8-year extension today with the Tampa Bay Lightning with an AAV of $6.5 million. Hagel has been in Tampa since being acquired at the trade deadline of the 2021-22 season. During his most recent season, Hagel had 64 points in 81 games.
His new contract puts the organization in a tough spot though with little cap space to work with during the 2024 offseason. According to CapFriendly the Lightning are already up against the cap for next season with only 16 players under an NHL contract.
After signing Hagel to an 8-year/$6.5 M AAV extension, we show the #gobolts with a projected cap for 2024-25 of $74.94M, based on 16 active contracts (10F-4D-2G)
The cap is projected to go up to $87.5M next season
Notable UFA's next summer Steven Stamkos
With roughly $13 million in cap space Steven Stamkos may become a cap casualty and move on to his next team sooner than most thought.
Stamkos On To New Opportunities
With the projected cap space of the Lightning for the 2024 offseason captain Steven Stamkos' spot on the roster is less likely to be secure. The 33-year-old forward has spent his entire career in Tampa.
With the Lightning trying to set themselves up to compete for as long as possible Stamkos' days with the Lightning may be limited.
If he does make it to free agency his hometown team the Toronto Maple Leafs should be considered a favorite. When Stamkos was previously approaching free agency the Leafs were heavily rumored to be his destination of choice before he ultimately signed back in Tampa Bay.
