Tampa Bay Lightning vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman issued the following statement today regarding Steven Stamkos:
“As February 29th approaches, I am stating today that Steven Stamkos will not be traded before the NHL’s trade deadline. I have said repeatedly that it is our hope to reach an agreement with Steven on a new contract at some point, 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.”
Smart move by Yzerman. Get the team refocused on playoffs.
This also gives Yzerman a chance to see what Stamkos is made of in the clutch.
The Bolts are precariously hanging on to a playoff spot, but that could all change tonight if Pittsburgh wins.
Stamkos and the rest of the big guns need to start putting the puck in the net.
We don't want to hear, " It's not easy scoring in this league."
Scoring doesn't appear to be a problem for the other teams vying for a playoff spot.
