Why did Steven Stamkos leave the Lightning? Jake Guentzel deal leads to Tampa Bay captain signing with Predators

The Steven Stamkos era in Tampa Bay is over.

The first day of free agency did not disappoint with the drama. The longtime captain's time in Tampa Bay has come to an end, as Stamkos is reportedly set to sign a four-year deal with the Predators, leaving the organization with whom he brought two Stanley Cups.

There's no sugarcoating it — Stamkos leaving Tampa Bay is a stunning turn of events. There were rumblings starting in the preseason when Stamkos expressed his displeasure with the front office that an extension had not yet been worked out, signaling a potential divorce. While no progress was made during the season, there was still the expectation that the two sides would work out an agreement.

Nonetheless, when Stamkos officially became a free agent on Monday, it was a contract with the Predators, not the Lightning, that he signed, leaving the club that drafted him first overall in 2008.

Stamkos spent 16 seasons with the Lightning, winning two Stanley Cups, two Rocket Richards and earning seven All-Star recognitions. In total, he recorded 1,137 points over the span of 1,082 games as a member of Tampa Bay.

NHL FREE AGENCY 2024: TRACKER | GRADES

Why did Steven Stamkos leave the Lightning?

Ultimately, Stamkos' departure is a result of cap constraints.

The Lightning were pushing right up against the salary cap to start free agency, operating with about $5 million in available space. It was reported that the club offered Stamkos an eight-year, $24 million contract — carrying a measly $3 million in AAV. While Stamkos may have been willing to take a hometown discount, $3 million is well below market value for a player coming off an 81-point season.

The team was able to free up more than $10 million after trading away defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to Utah and forward Tanner Jeannot to the Kings, giving them roughly $16 million to work with. Despite the freed-up funds, a deal with Stamkos still did not come to fruition.

Hours after those deals were made, Tampa Bay acquired the rights to pending free agent winger Jake Guentzel from the Hurricanes and subsequently signed him to a seven-year, $63 million contract. It felt like it was a foregone conclusion even before the Guentzel signing that Stamkos would walk, but by putting the ink on the dotted line for the winger, it certainly closed the door on a new Stamkos deal.

Tampa Bay may have been able to work together the funds for a deal, even with Guentzel's contract, but by then, the relationship was broken. It brings a stunning end to a 16-year run with Stamkos wearing the bolt, and he starts a new career in Nashville with the Predators.

This certainly bucks a trend between longtime captains staying with their respective teams. Sidney Crosby continues to re-up deals with the Penguins. Alex Ovechkin inked a new deal with the Capitals a few years ago to end his career in Washington. Even in Colorado, when it appeared Gabriel Landeskog may walk, the two sides eventually came to terms on an agreement to keep him with the Avalanche.

It's going to look strange seeing Stamkos donning yellow and navy blue on the Predators, as opposed to the white and blue colors of the Lightning. For Tampa Bay fans, it will take some getting used to watching their favorite team no longer have such a key part of their core on the ice.

Steven Stamkos contract

Stamkos is set to sign a four-year, $32 million contract with the Predators, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. It carries an AAV of $8 million a season.

The 34-year-old will be a free agent in 2028.