Steven Stamkos gets it.
He knows the Tampa Bay Lightning’s cap situation is tricky, and he knows that people will speculate about his future ... a lot.
The Tampa Bay Tribune’s Joe Smith managed to get a relatively hefty amount of insights from Stamkos, though the high-scorer only really leaves us with nuggets.
The full article, as meaty as it is, is worth a read, but let’s fry it down to the basics:
On the Lightning’s cap situation: Stamkos says he “understands it” and “that’s why it’s a process.”
Hmmm ...
On Tampa Bay itself: Stamkos opines that the area started out as “a great place to live, not necessarily a great place to be an NHL hockey player,” but now it’s a “top-five” place by both measures.
(One can just imagine Maple Leafs fans yelling, “But Toronto is No. 1, right?”)
Real estate speculation: Apparently he’s been staying in the same spot for the last seven years:
“Still in the same place,” Stamkos said. “Obviously have to see what’s going to happen with the negotiations. But the same place.”
He has a 100-lb. dog named Trigger: Crucial stuff.
My boy Trigger #NationalDogDay #swissy pic.twitter.com/7b5vJmcumk
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) August 27, 2014
Even Stamkos knows that people are going to make mountains out of molehills, so have at it.
Just note: the speculation isn’t likely to die down soon, something Stamkos probably realizes.