SPORTS

Lightning star Stamkos won't be traded before deadline

The Canadian Press Published Monday, February 15, 2016 2:19PM EST

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos (91) competes in the hardest shot competition at the NHL hockey All-Star game skills competition Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP / Mark Humphrey)

Text:

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos isn't going anywhere according to team general manager Steve Yzerman.

Yzerman said in a statement released Monday that the Lightning have no intention of dealing Stamkos before the NHL's Feb. 29 trade deadline.

"I have said repeatedly that it is our hope to reach an agreement with Steven on a new contract at some point, and with 27 games remaining in the season, our entire organization, Steven included, wants to focus on making the playoffs," Yzerman said. "I will keep the negotiating process strictly between the involved parties and have no further comment on the state of those negotiations."

Stamkos, who turned 26 earlier this month, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. The fact he has not signed a long-term extension with the Lightning has fuelled speculation that he's open to leaving the team that drafted him first overall in 2008.

Stamkos has 22 goals and 20 assists in 55 games this season. He has 540 points (298 goals, 242 assists) in 547 career games and scored a career-high 60 goals in 2011-12.