by Miguel Mike Medina
It’s been a wild start to July with NHL free agency. Monday was beyond insane with the signings and off-season moves. We never imagined that after 16 seasons, Steven Stamkos would be okay for another uniform that’s not the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lightning GM dropped the ball on Stamkos. They lost their power play threat and heartbreak of the team. But that’s the business of Sports. It’s ruthless.
Tampa chose Jake Guentzel over Steven Stamkos. Guentzel signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Lightning, who acquired him from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Nashville, on the other hand, has been aggressive because they added Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault to the team. It’s been nine long years, but Stamkos and Marchessault will reunite as teammates again. Stamkos signed a four-year, $32 million contract. Stamkos had 81 points (40 goals, 41 assists) in 79 games last season. Marchessault signed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract.
One of the greatest defensemen to ever wear a Lightning uniform, Victor Herman, is staying in Tampa. He signed a four-year, $32 million contract. Hedman had 76 points (13 goals, 63 assists) for the Lightning last season and seven points (one goal, six assists) in five playoff games.
Tyler Toffoli signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Monday. He had 55 points (33 goals, 22 assists) in 79 games for the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets last season.
Defenseman Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson are the newest members of the Seattle Kraken family. Both of them signed seven-year contracts with the Seattle Kraken on Monday.
Montour recently won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. His contract is worth up to $50 million, and many believe that he’s overpaid.
