There wasn't a dry eye in the Amalie Area building as the Tampa Bay Lightning welcomed back longtime captain Steven Stamkos.
Playing in his first game in Tampa since leaving the team in free agency to join the Nashville Predators, the Lightning made sure to give Stamkos a well-deserved tribute.
Fans, players and head coach Jon Cooper gave Stamkos a long ovation after playing a tribute video during a stoppage in play.
An excited Stamkos skated a lap around the ice to greet the crowd before returning to the bench.
Stamkos spent 16 seasons with the Lightning, winning two Stanley Cups and setting multiple franchise records, before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Stamkos was drafted first overall by the Lightning in 2008 and holds franchise records for games played (1,082), goals (555) and points (1,137).
He also served as captain for 10 years and guided the Lightning to four Stanley Cup Final appearances, winning back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021.
Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, who called Stamkos his teammate for 15 seasons, said it's going to be different watching him take the ice.
“It's probably going to be strange, but that's how it is,” said Hedman, who took over as Lightning captain this season. “We have to concentrate on the game and try to get two points for our team.”
Stamkos has an eight-game goal with the Predators and knew he was going to have to find his way a bit in terms of where to fit into a new organization while adjusting to a new group of players.
“I think that's part of the pure transition period. Some days good and some days where you're still figuring things out,” Stamkos said. “I was here so long that I was the person that everyone came to with questions and concerns and you had all the answers, right? Now I'm the one asking the questions, so it's a little different.
“It takes time. As much as you want things to work overnight, there is a transition period. I'm certainly working on that right now. As long as I can control the mental aspect because that's something I've never had to worry about in terms of being in that comfort zone. It's almost like you're in that Zen mode all the time because you know exactly what's going to happen, the players and the chemistry you build with the guys over many years and now you're starting from scratch. “This has taken some time and I will continue to work on it.”
Coming into the game, Nashville had lost five straight to start the season, but has won its last three games and is seventh in the Central Division.
Unfortunately for Stamkos, his former team took a 2-0 lead in the first half.
Tampa Bay (5-3-0) is second in the Atlantic Division and has won two of its last three games.
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