Steven Stamkos: 7 Bold Predictions for the Lightning's Young Star in 2011-12

For many fans of EA Sports' NHL series, you were likely excited to experience the demo of NHL 12 this morning, the cover man of this year's edition--Steven Stamkos. He's become a fan favorite in Tampa and the league and while his pick to be the cover star was a logical one.After all the NHL deserves to see a young player like Stamkos strive in the NHL and lead the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs. Here are some bold predictions for the young star as he is set to play in his 4th season in the NHL.

Predictions 7: Live Up to His Expectations from the Contract He Signed.

During the off season, Tampa Bay Lightning fans were worried if they were going to lose Steven Stamkos to a restricted free agency, Stamkos decided to stick around by signing a 5 year, $37.5 million contract on July 19 and told the franchise that he is going to be with the year around. That showed the Lightning that he wants to stay around and win the cup with them. Stamkos will live up to expectations cause he showed that he could do after his rookie year. He showed the league how special he was when he first came into the league in 2008. He proved to all his critics he can lead and score big time goals for the NHL.

He lived up to the expectations of being the 1st overall pick so I see living up to his new contract. 

Prediction 6: One of the Reason the Tampa Bay Lightning Make the Playoffs Again

Without Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning don’t have that scoring and don’t have the top line center that every team drives for. He is great with the puck, has a wicked shot and he will be showing the league how dangerous he is. Stamkos is a big piece of the Tampa Bay Lightning and a top league player. He proved that last year when they were in the playoffs. He helped the Lightning make the playoffs last year along with St. Louis and Lecavalier.

I can see another big year for the Tampa Bay Lightning and a bigger year for Steven Stamkos.

Prediction 5: Feeding off Marty’s Leadership and Experience

At 21 years old Steven Stamkos is the maturest hockey player in the NHL right now all thanks to the mentoring from his line mate Marty St. Louis. St. Louis helped Stamkos during his rookie year while taking him under his wing and helping Stamkos reaching his potential. Stamkos considers St. Louis his big bother and looks up to him. The mentoring and advice he received from St. Louis has helped him mature and came at the right time. Stamkos having Stamkos around has helped Marty around. I can see a future captain in Stamkos and see him leading the Lighting in both goals and leadership.

Prediction 4: Take on a Larger Role in Tampa Bay

Stamkos will take a larger role in Tampa Bay next year and he has proven to the NHL and everyone who has been following him since he was a rookie. At 21 years old, Stamkos showed his leadership and determination by coming back in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins with a broken nose and shoulder injury. He never quit and is the kind of leader that most players look up to and many teams that have a hard time finding a weakness in. He is the type of guy who brings heart and passion to the Lightning. Marty St. Louis is a big factor into his maturing as a great player, being his line-mate and mentor for his first 3 years in the National Hockey League.

His leadership will keep growing stronger as he keeps developing into a smart two-way with the help of St. Louis, Lecavalier and Dwayne Roloson. 

Prediction 3: Stamkos Will Help out on the Powerplay.

Steven Stamkos has one of the best shots. He has 50 Power Play Goals in his NHL career and was 2nd in the league with 17 power play goals and had 3 in the playoffs last year. He has the talent to score power play. The Lightning power play will be a big factor to succeed. With his talent, I see Stamkos leading the NHL in power play goals. 

Prediction 2: Stamkos Will Lead the NHL in Goals

Steven Stamkos will lead the National Hockey League in goals. He has the talent to score goals and during the free agency everyone wanted him on their team but he decided to stick with the Tampa Bay Lightning and signed a 5 year deal with them. Last year Stamkos led the Lightning with 45 goal with 17 of them being on the power play, second in assists with 45 and second in points with 91, 8 behind mentor and line mate Marty St Louis. He was second in goals behind Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks who had 50 goals.  He won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy awarded to leading goal scoring in the NHL with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins with 51 goals. He has shown in the past that he can score goals and be that consistent player. I believe that Stamkos will get better this year and that he will have another 5o goal season.

Prediction 1: Stamkos Will Be Consider One of the Best Player After the Season

At the end of the 2011-2012 season, Steven Stamkos will be consider one of the best players in the National Hockey league besides Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. He will be a leader for the Tampa Bay Lightning, his talents are going to get much stronger and make a difference in the league.