Lightning's Callahan: Stamkos contract no distraction

TAMPA -- Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan said Wednesday he fully supports Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, but hasn't spoken with him about his contract situation.

Stamkos, who can be an unrestricted free agent July 1, was offered an eight-year, $68 million contract extension by the Lightning, according to Sportsnet. The information came despite both sides trying to honor a media blackout.

Stamkos would not confirm the report and told the Tampa Tribune on Monday he wanted to keep discussions private.

"Whether it was true or not, there has been a lot said," Stamkos said. "Things that haven't been true and people have said things that are true. And you have to make a story when things are not going on. So all the stuff that we have talked about will stay internal, and we'll go from there."

Callahan said Stamkos has worked hard to keep his contract status from becoming a distraction this season.

"We haven't talked about it," Callahan said. "It's part of the business. It's something that's not really discussed among the players. Everybody has to go through it at some time or another, and obviously there's different players that it gets magnified. But he's been great. He's a pro about it. He's been in the League for a while and I think he understands that. All the guys in here support him."

Callahan dealt with his own contract issues during the 2013-14 season while he was captain of the New York Rangers. He was approaching unrestricted free agency, and the Rangers ended up trading him to the Lightning on March 5, 2014 for forward Martin St. Louis.

Tampa Bay eventually signed Callahan to a six-year, $34.8 million contract June 25, 2014.

"The biggest thing is not letting [contract talks] get to you," Callahan said. "[Continue to] come to the rink and keep that on the outside and let your agent deal with most of that. That's what you pay them for. You think about it. I mean, it's human nature; you're going to think about it and wonder what's going on. But otherwise [just focus on] coming to the rink and doing your job and worrying about the team and what you need to do on the ice."

Defenseman Victor Hedman said the Lightning's leadership structure helps to put a lid on potential distractions.

"We've got great leadership to start with," Hedman said. "We focus on what we can control and let everything stay outside of this locker room. It starts with Stamkos and Callahan, great character [guys] and goes through the [roster]. We focus on getting better and winning games. We know what's going on but we don't let it creep through this locker room."