Steven Stamkos covets return to Tampa Bay for 17th season

(Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports)

Steven Stamkos has spent all 16 of his NHL seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and he's highly interested in continuing the relationship.

Stamkos, 34, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. But he said he had a preliminary conversation with Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois after Tampa Bay was eliminated from the postseason Monday night.

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