Are there two NHL players whose seasons have been more intertwined than that of Tampa Bay Lightning teammates Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos?
Before the 2013-14 campaign began, intrigue surrounded the two friends as to which one would be named captain of the Lightning following the buyout and departure of Vincent Lecavalier. Then we witnessed Stamkos’s devastating goalpost crash of Nov. 11 and saw St. Louis help lift his centreman onto a stretcher. In early February, it was an emotional, bittersweet press conference in Florida, as Stamkos announced his broken tibia had not yet healed to the point that he could play for Team Canada in Sochi, thus opening the door for St. Louis to play in his stead.
The drama swirling around a goal-scoring champ and a point-scoring champ continued Tuesday, when Stamkos responded to the trade speculation surrounding St. Louis. The New York Post reported this week that the Rangers had spoken to the Lightning brass regarding a trade that would send their captain, pending free agent Ryan Callahan, to Tampa Bay in exchange for St. Louis. Lightning GM Steve Yzerman wasn’t interested in the deal, according to the report. Hockey Central insider Nick Kypreos then tweeted that it is believed St. Louis requested a trade after being left off Team Canada’s initial roster, which was announced on Jan. 7.
“They are rumours, but I don’t really know where that stuff comes from,’’ Stamkos told the Tampa Tribune. “Obviously people can speculate about what goes on with him not being on the Olympic team, but I think the gold medal will heal a lot of things. I think that’s where people are jumping on that bandwagon, and New York is being thrown around because they have some guys they need to re-sign or get rid of, so people will say that Marty lives in New York [actually Greenwich, Conn.], and that’s why they make the connection. But I don’t think any of it’s true.’’
St. Louis returned to Tampa Bay Monday but has yet to practise with the team. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he isn’t worried about how the media chatter between now and the March 5 trade deadline will affect his team, sure to get a boost when Stamkos returns.
“I was more worried about him not making the Olympic team than I am him hearing rumours about Marty being moved,’’ Cooper told the Tribune. “It is a natural for the next 10 days for these rumors to start, and I’m surprised we haven’t heard more of them. The fact that they are really isolated on players is interesting to me, but aside from that, I coach the team. I don’t brush up the rumours or am I the one pulling the trigger on the trades, my pay grade is not high enough to have to deal with that.
“I’ll start worrying if I hear my name come up in trade rumours.’’
The Lightning kick off a four-game road trip on Thursday in Nashville. Stamkos is hopeful to return to action on March 6 versus Buffalo, the club’s next home game.
