Stamkos eyes long-term extension with Lightning

COLUMBUS -- Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos hopes to sign a contract extension after this season so he can stay with the team for an extended period of time.

Stamkos is eligible to sign an extension on July 1. His five-year, $37.5 million contract expires at the end of next season.

"Yeah, I think that's exactly what the plan is," Stamkos said Friday at NHL All-Star Media Day presented by DraftKings at Nationwide Arena. "Obviously, July 1 you can announce a deal. … It's a long ways away. I'm not really focused on that. We haven't really talked about that at all. We'll discuss that in the summertime, but I'm obviously very happy with where I am in Tampa.

"You see the team we've been able to develop the past couple of years, the ownership we have, obviously [general manager] Steve Yzerman, the coaching staff, the young nucleus of the team. I feel like the old fart at 24, all these guys coming in here, but they've played extremely well and I want to be part of it, to say I was there from the beginning to see the end result."

Yzerman said he also is interested in getting Stamkos signed to an extension as soon as possible.

"Our first priority at the end of the season will be get a contract extension done with Steven," Yzerman told the Tampa Bay Times. "He is one of the best young players in the League, our team captain and a great person who we want leading our team for many years."

Mark Guy, the agent for Stamkos, told the Tampa Bay Times that negotiations on a contract extension have not taken place.

"Certainly all indications are they're going to try to start the process as soon as they are allowed," Guy said. "He hasn't had any reason not to love it there. He's the captain and obviously it's a very good team, a great place to play and live."

Stamkos is fourth in the NHL with 26 goals; he has 45 points. The Lightning lead the Eastern Conference with 64 points.

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