Stamkos bracing for emotional return to Tampa Bay
Steven Stamkos has played in Amalie Arena hundreds of times, but Monday's clash in Tampa Bay will mark his first contest as a visitor.
The Nashville Predators are playing the Lightning for the first time since Stamkos signed a four-year deal in Music City, and the former Bolts captain expects it to be a whirlwind to see so many familiar faces.
"That's going to be probably the toughest part, emotionally, is just the relationships that my family has had with everyone," Stamkos said, per NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "The workers in the rink, the staff, everyone within the organization, the friends we've made away from the game. That's the part that gets you, I think."
Stamkos and the Lightning were unable to reach an agreement before he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He left Tampa Bay as the franchise leader in games played (1,082), goals (555), and points (1,137).
Tampa Bay won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, and Stamkos also captured two Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies during his tenure there.
The 34-year-old has managed only one goal in eight games with the Predators, who enter the contest on a three-game win streak after starting the season 0-5.
The Lightning are 5-3-0 on the young campaign.