Yesterday saw one of the biggest days of the year for hockey buffs, with seemingly countless players heading into free agency before being picked up by a new team in the NHL. Among those pulled away from their longtime home was Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who signed a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators.
Steven Stamkos has spent his entire career up to this point with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now 16 years after being drafted by the team first overall, he spoke about the difficulties he faced in coming to the realization he would have to find a new home in the NHL.
After this touching story from Stamkos, it has become clear that his fellow teammates were still hoping to hold onto him too. After the 34-year-old departed from Tampa Bay, his longtime partner on the ice defenseman Victor Hedman spoke about the player's solid captaincy skills, calling him the best in the league.
Victor Hedman was drafted 2nd overall the year after Steven Stamkos by Tampa Bay, and the two played together for 15 years. Now with the former captain heading to the Nashville Predators, we are certainly at the end of an era for the duo. Regardless, their time in the city will always be remembered fondly by fans of the Lightning.
