Nashville Predators Sign Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Steven Stamkos

The Nashville Predators had been rumored to be in on longtime Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos all weekend, and they reportedly made it official with a four-year, $32 million contract on Monday.

Per TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Stamkos is one of three big signings that Nashville made as the NHL free agency period opened July 1. The others include forward Jonathan Marchessault (five years, $27.5 million) and defenseman Brady Skjei (seven years, $49 million).

Related: Nashville Predators Linked to Steven Stamkos as Free Agency Nears

Stamkos has spent his entire 16-year NHL career in Tampa Bay and is the franchise's all-time leader in games played (1,082), goals (555), points (1,137), even-strength goals (336), even-strength points (707), power-play goals (214), power-play points (422), overtime goals (13), game-winning goals (85) and shots (3,332). He captained the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, and he has 101 points (50 goals, 51 assists) in 128 playoff games.

Though his age (34) may be of concern to some, Stamkos is still an extremely effective player. Coming off an 81-point season, he could have a major impact on a Predators team that needs more scoring threats in the top-six forward group.

The $8 million annual price tag may appear to be a slight overpay, but the addition of Stamkos provides an instant upgrade to Nashville's offense, especially the power play, which ranked 16th in the NHL last season (21.6%). Stamkos has scored 10 or more power play goals in seven straight seasons and in 13 of his 16 career seasons with Tampa Bay, who boasted the NHL's top power play last season (28.6%).