Sports Interaction has recently reported that it is very likely that Steven Stamkos will choose to remain with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is a hot topic of discussion right now in light of the free agency period that will begin on July 1, 2016. The 26-year old star has been intensely recruited by other teams in the league. With a record of 312 goals and 562 points in regular season games, Stamkos has been an incredible asset to Tampa so far. He has also been named to four NHL All-Star Games since 2011 and was the NHL’s leading goal-scorer in 2010 and 2012.

One thing that has made Tampa a bit nervous about keeping Stamkos is the salary cap, which prevents the team from making a more enticing offer to Stamkos. Right now, he has a $8.5 million per season deal, which started in January of this year and is set to last for eight years. There is some margin for another team to make a more competitive offer than Tampa is able to, which Tampa’s General Manager Steve Yzerman is now watching closely.

Odds makers predict that Detroit, Toronto and Buffalo all have decent odds at picking up Stamkos, although the consensus is that Stamkos will likely stick with Tampa at this point. The other teams that are considered top contenders right now are Boston, Montreal and Vancouver. The other free agents that are generating serious speculations about competitive offers are David Backes, Kyle Okposo and Milan Lucic.

After a tense period that seemed like an eternity for Tampa Bay Lightning fans, the wait is over. The captain will be back.

Steven Stamkos, star and captain of the Lightning, signed an eight-year contract worth $68 million to stay with his team.

Stamkos had visited several teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs, gauging interest before he became a free agent on July 1. But the captain ultimately decided to return to the team that drafted him, disappointing the many suitors lining up for one of the biggest potential free agents in NHL history.

The captain was drafted No. 1 overall by the Lightning in 2009 and has excelled since then. His average of 0.55 goals per game in his exceptional career have helped him win two goal-scoring titles. At just 26 and a proven goal-scorer, Stamkos commanded much attention as a young star in his prime.

By staying in Tampa, Stamkos remains the face of the franchise that made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 and within one game of returning this season. The Lightning were able to offer recent playoff success along with an eight-year contract, as opposed to the seven years other teams could offer.

Stamkos took to Twitter to announce that he was “excited to be back for 8 more years.”

“Most importantly, I look forward to working with my teammates, coaches and our management in our goal of winning a Stanley Cup,” he said in a statement.