Steven Stamkos, Lightning Agree to New Contract

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos was going to be the biggest star in free agency this summer, but instead he has decided to remain with the Lightning, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN. The new deal is worth $8.5 million per season for eight years, per McKenzie. 

This came after the news the Maple Leafs reportedly met with Stamkos on Tuesday at the MLSE headquarters, according to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. Toronto's mayor, John Tory, and Michael B. Medline, the CEO of Canadian Tire—which has its headquarters in the city—were present for the meeting, per Simmons.

Stamkos has a 51- and 60-goal season to his name. Since the 2008-09 season, his 312 goals are second only to Alex Ovechkin (362) in that time period, per ESPN Stats & Information, and his 0.55 career goals per game are also second only to Ovechkin among active players. And he's a dynamo on the power play, with 108 goals (35 percent) coming on the man advantage. 

“He can really do it all," Lightning goalie Ben Bishop told ESPN.com's Craig Custance. "His speed is second to none. He has one of the most accurate shots in the league. He’s tough, he’s strong, he can play a physical game, and he’s a heck of a leader. He’s been our captain the last year-and-a-half, and he’s done a great job. The scary thing is he’s still a young kid.”

Indeed, Stamkos is 26. His 36 goals and 28 assists in 77 games represented something of a down year last season, as he's scored 40 or more goals and 70 or more points four times in his career. He has room to grow, which is a scary proposition for the rest of the NHL.

And that's why about a dozen teams made a pitch to Stamkos, according to Tim Wharnsby of CBC Sports, with the Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres "among the most ardent suitors."

However, only the Lightning could sign him to an eight-year deal. That factor, along with the team's talented and playoff-tested roster, was enough to negate the bigger money other organizations were tossing around. 

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.