By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 30, 2011
TAMPA — C Steven Stamkos sees no reason a new deal with the Lightning will not get done.
Neither does GM Steve Yzerman nor agent Mark Guy.
"Both sides have a good relationship," Guy said Monday. "Steven likes Tampa Bay and he likes the environment. I don't see any reason why once we get down to it, we won't get something done."
No talks were held during the playoffs.
"I wanted to wait till the end and not focus on that," Stamkos said. "My focus was on this team and to do whatever I could to help this team win. We have a lot of time to get things done."
Stamkos, 21, had a league-best 96 goals the past two seasons, including 45 last season
His expiring three-year, entry-level contract paid a base salary of $875,000. It is expected 2008's No. 1 overall draft choice will sign for about $7 million a season.
Asked if there was a reason a deal would not get done, Stamkos said, "No. ... We're only going to get better as a team. I would love to be part of it."
"He's one of the great young players in the game, so we'll do everything we can to get it done," Yzerman said, and added, "It will get done at some point."
NOT GOOD ENOUGH: Injured W Sean Bergenheim who missed the final two games of the East final, said it seemed as if he tried a different treatment every hour to try to play in Game 7. Bergenheim would not divulge the injury but did not deny a groin problem.
"We did everything we could to get me back there," he said. "It just wasn't good enough."
Bergenheim, who had nine playoff goals and is a potential unrestricted free agent, said he wants to return to Tampa Bay.
"It's a very good organization," he said." It's a great thing for a player to be a part of."
ON THE MEND: D Pavel Kubina, who missed the final 10 playoff games due to concussion symptoms, said he made "huge progress" in the last week — light workouts Friday and Saturday — and believes there was a chance he could have played sometime during the Stanley Cup final had the Lightning made it that far.
ODDS AND ENDS: AHL Norfolk owner Ken Young acknowledged "brief" discussions with the Lightning about ending their affiliation deal, but said he fully expects the teams to finish out their five-year contract that runs through next season. Speculation had Tampa Bay teaming with a northeast team (Syracuse, perhaps?) to cut down on travel. ... LW Simon Gagne wants to keep the entire roster intact. "I'd like to see everyone come back and have another shot at this." ... G Mike Smith and wife Brigitte are expecting their first child, a boy, on July 15. No names yet but Smith said it will be "something spicy."
Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.
