Steven Stamkos Current Contract Overview
Steven Stamkos is under contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning through the 2024-25 NHL season on an eight-year extension signed in 2019. His current annual salary is $9.5 million, with a cap hit of $9.5 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid forwards in the league based on public NHL salary data Forbes. The contract carries no movement or no-trade clauses, giving the Lightning full roster flexibility while Stamkos remains the team's captain and primary offensive threat NHL.com.
The total guaranteed value of Stamkos's current deal is $76 million, with $76 million in salary already paid out or reserved against future salary caps. His cap hit remains stable at $9.5 million through the final year, meaning the Lightning carry a significant long-term commitment while Stamkos continues to produce elite offensive numbers in terms of goals, points, and power-play production.
Contract Structure, Term Length, and Salary Details
Steven Stamkos signed his eight-year extension on July 1, 2019, with an average annual value of $9.5 million. The contract pays him a straight $9.5 million per season in base salary, with no signing bonus front-loading or back-loading that would create salary-cap variance Spotrac. This structure keeps Tampa Bay's salary cap predictable while Stamkos ages as a core piece of the roster.
The term runs from the 2019-20 season through the 2026-27 season, with the final season carrying a full $9.5 million cap hit. At age 33 during that final season, Stamkos will have been under contract for roughly one-third of his professional career, and the deal positions him as a long-term asset for the Lightning's sustained competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.
Cap Impact, Performance, and Contract Context
Stamkos's $9.5 million cap hit places him among the top-paid forwards in the NHL, reflecting his status as a perennial 40-goal scorer and Hart Trophy-caliber talent. His point production, power-play goals, and leadership role justify the salary relative to league peers, and his cap number anchors Tampa Bay's top-six forward group Hockey-Reference.
Compared to similar contracts for elite centers, Stamkos's deal is structured with a flat salary and no performance bonuses, reducing cap risk for the Lightning. As he approaches the final seasons, the team retains flexibility to rework or extend his role while managing cap space around other key veterans and young prospects.