Predators sign Steven Stamkos to four-year, $32 million contract

Nashville, Tennessee (July 1, 2024) – Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Steven Stamkos on a four-year, $32 million contract ($8 million AAV).

“When I became the Predators’ general manager, I said many times that I was looking to add ‘serial winners’ to our franchise, and there is probably no one who fits that profile better than Steven Stamkos,” Trotz said. “We are incredibly excited to sign a Hall of Fame player and inductee on a huge day for the future of our organization. A two-time Stanley Cup winner as captain, Steven is a proven winner and leader who will make us a better team on the ice with his production and in the locker room as someone our young players can look up to.”

Stamkos, 34 (07/02/90), is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020, 2021) and has won several other accolades during his 16 NHL seasons, including two Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies (2009-10, 2011-12) and the Mark Messier Leadership Award (2022-23). ​​Considered one of the greatest goal scorers of his generation, Stamkos’ 555 goals are the second-most of any NHL player since his rookie season in 2008-09 and the 30th-most in league history. He has captained the Lightning for the past 11 seasons and is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in goals and points (1,137) and second in assists (582).

In 2023-24, Stamkos recorded his seventh career 40-goal season and finished third on the Lightning in points with 81 (40g-41a) in 79 games. He ranked among the NHL leaders in power-play goals with 19 (tied for third), goals with 40 (tied for 15th) and shots with 262 (26th), helping Tampa Bay qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. During the playoffs, the 6-foot-1, 193-pound forward added six points (5g-1a) in five games against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Originally selected by Tampa Bay with the first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Stamkos has spent his entire 1,082-game career with the Lightning since making his debut in 2008-09. A seven-time NHL All-Star, he is one of 18 players in NHL history to record at least seven 40-goal seasons and one of four active skaters to record at least two 50-goal campaigns. Stamkos has scored at least 10 power-play goals in 13 of his 16 NHL seasons; his 214 career power-play goals are the most in Lightning history, second-most of any NHL player since 2008-09 and 14th-most in NHL history.

Captaining the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020-21, Stamkos is a veteran of 128 career playoff games, recording 101 points (50g-51a), tied for 12th among active NHL players. During Tampa Bay’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2020, Stamkos scored in his only playoff game – Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against Dallas – to earn his name on the trophy. The following campaign, he tied for third on the Lightning in playoff points scored with 18 points (8g-10a) to become the first captain to hoist the Cup in back-to-back seasons since Detroit’s Steve Yzerman in 1997-98. He helped the Lightning reach the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight season in 2021-22, ranking third among all NHL players in goals with 11 before Tampa Bay ultimately lost in six games to Colorado.

On the international stage, the Markham, Ont., native has represented Canada on several occasions, most recently at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he won gold. Stamkos also won gold at the 2008 World Junior Championship and won silver at the 2009 World Championship.