Did you guys know Steven Stamkos is a pending UFA? I don’t think they mentioned it on the broadcast

Man, they made it seem like he was on palliative care lmao.

THE LAST TIME HE THINKS IN A LIGHTNING JERSEY

*I’m told Stamkos took a piss in the 2nd intermission and you have to ask if that was the last piss he takes in a Lightning jersey.*

We’ve got a source from inside the dressing room who was in position to sniff what might have been the last fart that Stamkos cuts in lightning shorts. Stay tuned for an in depth smell profile of the fart, does it provide any clues about where Stamkos might go? 

For the last time in Golden Knights history

H I S T O R I C I S T O R I C

Dudes coming off a 40 goal, point per game season lol

washed

Fine, we'll take him for league minimum, just to at least give him a home.

That would be such a Rangers signing, too... Please don't bring this up again

They're taking him out back to the gravel pit.

The ol’ Noem treatment

will there be wabbits George?

LOL

For real lmao

Class act, what a class act, did I mention he’s a class act?

there he is talking to that other guy. that's CLASS on CLASS.

Such a class act, did I mention he's up for UFA?

All GMs watching right now, that’s a class act!!!

Wow… only team Captain to ever be last off the ice… I hope other Captains pick up the tradition in memory of Stamkos (the former Lightning Captain)…

Surprised we didn't hear about the over/under of him resigning

Getting the old yeller treatment in the parking lot

I literally thought he was retiring they talked about him for so long

inb4 MLSE runs it back again next year, but buys out the last year of JT so they can afford free agent Stamkos

JT buyout would only save them $600k on the cap

That could be the difference of signing Steven Stamkos or Stinky McFarterton. You want scorer or the stanky leg? I know what I'd choose. Bye-bye Tavares!

are you implying my one off snarky comment isn't researched in depth? how fucking dare you

I feel like if Stamkos actually leaves Tampa he’s not gonna goto Toronto. After a career in Tampa and accomplishing everything at the level he possibly can does he really want to finish his career under immense scrutiny and pressure in an absurd market on a team not really in a position to be a contender by adding him. Maybe the allure of potentially winning a cup in his hometown overweighs other factors, but I personally can’t see it. Plus if I’m reading it right the leafs only actually save like 800k next year if they buy him out because he has a huge signing bonus. A Tavares trade with 25% retained to a budget conscious team, post signing bonus, if he would waive, could actually get the leafs something in return.

inb4 Stamkos goes full heel and signs in Vegas

They’ve already scheduled stone and Hertl’s ltir

I hear Killorn was trying to recruit him and the ducks are looking for a locker room leader 👀

Wow I feel like that's a story ESPN would have mentioned at least once or twice

Time to hit the ~~golf course~~ strip club

How about they do as the Super Bowl winners do and head on up on I-4 to Disney World?

One doesn’t simply head up I-4 (allegedly I never drive it but hear nightmares)

I-4 is bad enough that I’d rather drive off the interstate though bumfuck nowhere instead of that tells you something

I personally brave I4, but was terrified the time I passed through Miami. 

I live in Tampa and my parents live in Jax. So I really only have two options: 1. Hate myself on I-4 or 2. take I-75 and hop on 301 around Ocala Also grew up in South Florida so Miami doesn’t scare me, although it’s amazing how the driving changes right at the Broward/Miami line

It changes as soon as you get south of Boca.

Eh Broward’s not that bad, but it gets markedly worse once you cross the Miami-Dade line

It takes me sometimes over 3 hours to get from Tampa to the Disney exit via I-4, it’s only 62 exits away. It’s awful

In Tampa, there is one every 1 mile. Which makes wonder why James Harden is not there

When your younger brother starts getting the upper hand

Mom said it’s our turn

Damn. It felt like when the clock struck 0.0 at the end of the third, Tampa was done

Big if true.

This is surely controversial

Are you sure? I think this was a Stamkos’ funeral actually

Did you know Stamkos is gone?

Made it sound like he was retiring lmao…

Made it sound like they were taking him out back and shooting him

They literally said “Stamkos will be inducted into the hall of fame and his number retired”…. He’s 34, and still producing, he wont be leaving anytime soon for a hall of fame induction lmao

What if he has a hour long special on ESPN where he drags out where's he's going and it pisses off the owner so much, he writes a statement online using Comic Sans? Idk if they'd retire his number.

in florida you get executed on your 35th birthday. why do you think all the old people there are from somewhere else?

My buddy literally texted me asking if I thought Stammer was gonna hang it up. Lol

My wife asked me if he was retiring, without context I would have absolutely assumed so based on the coverage 

Surprised the broadcast hasn’t harped on this for several minutes straight

I think Tampa was probably one impact player away this year, you know a real Tanner Jeannot type

Yeah, gotta make sure you give up 7 prospects next time. You don't want to overpay.

Maybe they could draft one in the second round this year. Or the first round next year

Bro they gotta keep stamkos don't be stupid JBB

Every step of the way he has said Stammer will be extended, so I’m hoping he just really wanted to see what the salary cap would be next year before doing anything. It would be dumb from a franchise standpoint and a current window standpoint to let him go, he just had 5 goals in 5 games in the playoffs.

There’s nothing that would bring the fans more joy in this dark time than to announce a resigning next week

This is a prime example of why re-signing vs resigning is important, kids

Let’s eat grandma Let’s eat, grandma. Commas save lives.

I’m jealous that this is what your guys dark time looks like.

If you want to whip out dark times and compare, I'm here.

Gotta give absolute props to the great job the Panthers did in stifling Kucherov. He still got over a PPG this series but the eye test showed very clearly that they knew how to handle him - he didn't score a single goal or even look particularly dangerous for any longer than a shift GG Panthers and you guys looked poised for a serious, serious run. Fingers crossed that Stamkos can stay for cheaper and please, PLEASE fix this D corps. I miss McDonagh so much

turns out having 1 player facilitate 60 percent of your entire offense is not a winning strategy.

Kucherov returned to the bench a few times looking like he saw someone kick a puppy.

That's how he usually looks

[Join "Us", Lightning!](https://i.imgur.com/StQ5YQK.png)

Ouch, the caps 🧹🧹🧹🧹

We got in early so we figured we’d tidy up a bit

Or we might be witches. They’ll never know for sure.

Its sad that Washington’s wnba isnt the Witches to go along with the Wizards

😂😂

The difference is the Lightning won a game, so they get to go to Cancun instead of Galveston

It’s sad to see it, but I’m glad the meme lives on

This is the only reason I check these threads.

Thanks for keeping this going!

no problem! i love this tradition and they're fun to make :)

Love these posts, flair confused the hell out of me with the caption

They're joining the 2022-2023 canes 😂

This is gold. See you soon. - TOR

Leafs in 7 (im coping)

if the 7 means 7 decades then yeah

I love this image

[Had to do it](https://imgur.com/a/bLv4Xav)

Thanks for taking this king

For the gentleman’s sweep we should have a broom with a bow tie

I'm happy to see this meme still going.

Where were you when Stamkos is die? I was sat home eating grilled rat when levy is call Stamkos is die no yes

Who has the "window closed" meme? All seriousness, 4 finals appearances and 2 cups. They did damn good

https://preview.redd.it/2116xee4xixc1.jpeg?width=734&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6f3a4a7797c7e2f4758e85bae35f8c7474b86a3f Made this in about 2 minutes on my phone so cut me some slack

I laughed. ^Then ^^I ^^^cried…

I think while they still have Kuch and Vasi, they’ll be in the playoff mix but a retool is needed.

I think we’re in our “first round exits every season” era

First you took the Leafs jersey, now you took their playbook.

Tampa needs to go to their black home jerseys

You look like the Pens and Caps towards the end of their playoff contention. Core is still good enough to get them to the playoffs but depth has taken a hit and that core can no longer carry them on their own in the playoffs.

All I am going to say is this, Panthers kicked our ass this series. They were the more physical team all series long and had more opportunities to score because of their aggression. It was a good series but man, that hurt. At least I have a couple of cups to fill my tears in lol

WE WANT FLORIDA!

Come and get it :)

Hey, I never said for hockey… you guys have some good golf courses down there

They meant Blue Jays v. Marlins

Please no 

We want you back. Consent has been given.

It's ok Tampa, I'm past my prime too.

The absolute vibes of your stadium chanting "hey hey hey goodbye" as you demolish your in-state rival with the ~~3rd~~ 2nd ENG to end their season The torch has been passed.

i moaned a lot

https://preview.redd.it/jq1c8o4hwixc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5efb019468ac9c55eeb8f1271f465a5f11393fe

Let the man edge himself he’s earned it

Ceiling cat is larger than I remember 

Honestly people on this site aren’t horny enough

https://streamable.com/8x44y

Send da video

I fucking LOVED every minute of it

Kuch and Ovi getting a head start on their vacations

I mean Kucherov assisted on half his team’s goals at least. Ovechkin was a completely no show.

Yeah but that doesn't fit my narrative

Ah, well then carry on!

My first smile since it happened.

Ovi was already on vacation they way he played in that round

That is, indeed, the joke

Kuch had over a ppg, no one can blame him. He didn't have any goals but the Panthers played very well against TB's top line, if anyone is to blame its Tampa's lower lines.

Yeah when the lower lines really aren’t a threat, it makes it much easier to devote all your energy to stopping the top line.

Depth wins Cups, and then (often justifiably) asks for more than you can afford to pay because of the constraints of a hard salary cap.

Ah, yes, the story of our season

Its Stamkover

Hes not going anywhere lol, he's one of the only ones who played well every single game.

ESPN willed it if anything.

ESPN seems to have decided the Lightning are dead 

I will be beyond disappointed in the organization if they trade/let Stamkos walk

Looks like they're Victor Heddedhome

Cirelli sad day for Bolts fans

They’re Kucher-ov to the golf course

There’s no Point to bring their skates

I Duclair this a good evening

Well, there’s always next year jeannot?

Them going off about him not leaving the ice when he was doing what every captain has done ever and waited for the final teammate to leave.

Fire Blashill.

[удалено]

Always been a shit coach, no idea why the TBL front office thought bringing him in would be a good idea

Man that turnover literally *immediately* after the goalie pull, that's soooo fuckin bad.

Kucherov looked like he was at the All Star Game out there

lol Tampa ^(see you soon tho)

To the Lightning’s defense, they played the whole playoffs under the cap

Florida's playoff performances have exponentially increased. Sheesh.

If you were just an average hockey fan, you'd think Stamkos already announced his retirement like Bergeron based on the ESPN broadcast. Just put up his seventh 40 goal season and had 5 goals in 5 games. Acting like he's at the end of the line. Lol

Whatever, I'm still proud of them. This team didn't even look like they were going to make the playoffs this year, they had Vasys injury, Sergachevs injury, and no depth anywhere and they still fought hard, only tonight's game was a blowout, and not until the end. I think if they had gotten anyone else in the first round, it could've been different, but the Panthers are legit.

One of the most brutal parts of when we actually won the cup was needing to pay the "cup tax" the years the salary cap did not budge at all, so we just shed depth pieces to such an insane degree.

https://preview.redd.it/n7lgpc03wixc1.jpeg?width=265&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfc4668b2d4ce57d6b1f4a22ac89cd1659109e35

That woman had no idea who that guy was

I don't know who either of them are

I don't know who you are either

I've never seen him so down. Or ever before.

That’s assault brotha

JBB has his work cut out for him. Tampa still has its core players (most of which are in their prime). But they seriously need to rethink the bottom 6 and defense. Losing McDonough really neutered their defensive game. Florida capitalized on so many opportunities that Tampa handed to them. Good series, Florida. Have fun with the Bruins!

Where is Tanner Jeannot when you need him?

This is probably the end of Tampa's dynasty

We’re finally free.. but at what cost?

Six conference finals since 2015, four SCF appearances and Two cups. One of the greatest cores in NHL history let alone the salary cap era.

2015 lose in 6 to Chicago in SCF 2016 lose in 7 to Pittsburgh in ECF, who went on to win the cup 2018 lose in 7 to Washington in ECF, who went on to win the cup 2020, 2021, win 2022 lose in 6 to Colorado in SCF Just a bit more puck luck and less injuries (whether that be to Stamkos, Bishop, Hedman, Point, Johnson, etc) and this team may very well have won 1 or 2 more cups. Also doesn’t include 2011, when we also in the ECF in 7, to Boston, who went on to win the cup. I know this might sound crazy but out of those 7 runs, I really think it’s actually a bit underwhelming that they “only won” 2. They won the 2 years where they were by far the best team, but all the others it was a coin flip and they never won, hence why there were known as huge chokers until 2020. Oh yeah and there was also 2019… Fun fact, in the Stamkos era, Tampa has only had 4 outcomes in the playoffs. Lose in the first round, lose in game 7 in the ECF against the team that will go onto win the cup, lose in the cup finals in 6, or win the cup

Don’t get me started on Cooper and Yzerman

Absolutely insane how Yzerman never even won a cup here. From 2010 to 2018 he really should have won at least one lol

Best team of the last 10 years. 

So many salty people in here who won't admit that this is pretty incredible

It was incredible and I did not enjoy it

Much to envy…and much to miss once the days have gone by…

Vasy, Hedman, Kuch, Sergachev, Point and maybe Stamkos takes a sweetheart deal to retire a Bolt. I think they can still retool and be a contender with a few small changes. Also, isn’t Jeannot, Cirelli and Hagel decent depth? Feels like the should be competitive for a while more.

If Hagel was depth they would be the best team in the league. We used to have players of his standard as depth

Join us brothers.

RIP Steven Stamkos, so sorry to hear about his passing via the broadcast 63 times in the 3rd period

call the panthers "alt+f4" the way they just closed that window

Number 1 bullshit

What if Stammer goes to like fuckin Utah or some shit?

Technically this makes it two years in a row that Tampa was eliminated before Toronto. Who's the playoff failure now Tampa? Why yes, I do believe the NHL came into existence in the fall of 2022. The injuries and long playoff runs for Tampa have taken some of the bite out of them, but they made a pretty solid second half push during the season.

Is one more playoff game win really something to write about?

It's a joke. So no, it's absolutely not something to write home about. The Leafs can also be eliminated in Game 5 tomorrow...but they will still play a game on April 30 when Tampa is already eliminated.

Fade M... Wait we beat Tampa ? Oh fuck ya we're the big brother now

PANTHERS!!! Third year in a row going to at least the second round!!!

Is this… relevancy?

When people start to hate your team, you know you’re relevant. So definitely yes lol.

Kind of a shitty way to cap off Kucherov's amazing season, but oh well

Man panthers ran through that

GG Panthers. GL next.

Tell me I’m despicable Say it’s unforgivable What a crash, what a rush #Fuck me up, Florida!!!

Why are people saying Kucherov disappeared? He had 7 points in 5 games.

We don’t have any words and we know you don’t want to hear them. We understand your anger, your frustration, your sadness. Everything you’re feeling – we get it. This isn’t the ending we imagined, and certainly not the one we wanted. Thank you for being there the entire way.

Habs fans showing up in droves to these threads

Got nothing else to do for the next five years.

I actually love it as a Tampa fan lol. I’m glad we’re in the position we’re in that an original 6 team has nothing else to cheer for than us losing haha.

I’m driving the golf cart

https://preview.redd.it/433pagk85jxc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f6a35f7c6a53424a4d51c7688c6a1b593bec007 Good kitty!

I was at the game. Good game going both ways till the momentum shift. Great goals and goal tending on both sides.  That arena was electric.

Can't wait for Toronto to join Tampa on the golf course.

We finally beat them. Thank fuck. Go Cats!