Stamkos hopeful announcement shifts focus back to hockey

While general managers across the NHL may not be relishing the fact that potentially the biggest rental player ever won't be available prior to Feb. 29, Steven Stamkos is breathing a sigh of relief.

Related: Lightning potentially face an uncertain future without Stamkos, Drouin

On Monday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that Stamkos, a pending unrestricted free agent, will not be dealt ahead of the trade deadline. While the decision ensures Stamkos will remain in Tampa for at least the rest of this season, the biggest relief for the 26-year-old will come in the form of the endless trade rumors being put to bed.

"It's been a tough year in that regard, having to deal with that stuff," Stamkos told reporters Tuesday. "Hopefully this lightens the load a little bit. I said it all along from training camp that I wanted to be here and I want to win a championship."

Stamkos has been pestered with questions about his future in Tampa all season, and the inquiries increased once the Lightning passed the 55-game mark of the season without having reached a contract extension with their captain.

While it remains to be seen if a long-term deal can ultimately be reached, the two sides agreed that putting the trade rumors to rest was the best way to proceed right now.

"We've had a lot of discussions this season we've kept to ourselves," Stamkos said. "And obviously this is a decision by both parties that we thought was the best route and something that I wanted. So obviously I'm looking forward to not having to deal with all the questions for the remainder of the season and focus on hockey."

While questions about possible trades can now be put on the back burner, questions about Stamkos' looming free agency are sure to heat up in short order.

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