Steven Stamkos Signs 5-Year Deal with Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning and restricted free agent forward Steven Stamkos have agreed to a five-year contract today, according to the team's official web site.

Stamkos, 21, is one of the best players in the NHL and has scored 96 goals over the past two seasons. Also in the past two seasons, he has totaled 186 points and 41 power play goals.

According to NHL.com writer EJ Hradek's Twitter account, the contract is worth $37.5 million with a cap hit of $7.5 million.

Per the Lightning web site:

"

“I am excited we were able to reach an agreement today,” Stamkos said. “This was obviously very important to me and I appreciate Mr. Vinik and Steve Yzerman for all their work in the transformation of the franchise as we move forward. There is no place I’d rather be than as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.”

"

Stamkos was the most talked about free agent of the summer, and there was lots of speculation about him possibly receiving an offer from another team or being traded if contract talks with the Lightning didn't work out.

It was clear however, that the Lightning had the best chance to sign the young star all along, and Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman was happy to get the deal done.

“Steven is extremely important to this franchise and is part of the foundation of our hockey team,” Yzerman stated. “We are very pleased to have him signed and look forward to seeing him in a Lightning uniform for years to come.”

Last season Stamkos played in his first Stanley Cup playoffs, leading the Lightning to within one win of the Stanley Cup Final, and had 13 points with six goals and seven assists in 18 playoff games.

Stamkos' 51 goals during the 2010 season made him the third youngest player in league history to score 50 goals in a single season, and he is the sixth player in league history to score 100 career goals before the age of 21.

He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report, and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for Bruins news and analysis.