Steven Stamkos returns to Tampa Bay and is ready for an emotional homecoming

Steven Stamkos is returning to face the Tampa Bay Lightning as a member of the Nashville Predators in what is expected to be a very emotional night.

Because the matchup pits the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Nashville Predators, there will be more at stake than just the outing as it is set to be the highly awaited return of one of their all-time greats. For the first time in his illustrious career, former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos will face his old team after pulling off the shocking move during the offseason from the city and its fans that made him a hockey legend.

One of the biggest offseason headlines saw Stamkos ink a four-year, $32 million contract with the Nashville Predators, a deal the Lighting couldn't afford to match. The Tampa Bay team, needing to stay under the salary cap, had more focus on other acquisitions, including free agent Jake Guentzel. For Stamkos, the move to Nashville was a new chapter, but it came with mixed emotions for both organizations and their fanbases.

It goes without saying that Stamkos' status as a franchise legend is a given. He captained the team through arguably the most successful era in their history, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, and became the face of greatness within the organization. In 16 campaigns with Tampa, Stamkos amassed an incredible 1,137 points, cementing himself as the unquestioned all-time leading scorer of the team, blowing past the great Martin St. Louis by a landslide. A bittersweet departure for a city that had grown to love him opened up a new door with the Predators.

When Stamkos steps into Amalie Arena, less focus will be put on the two teams' records, Tampa Bay at 5-3 and Nashville at 3-5, and more on the former captain. His first period of ice time as a Predator, against the team he captained for over a decade, will be feverishly watched by those looking in the crowd. It'll be an emotionally charged game as the fans get anxious to see how their former general fares against his old comrades.

While the transition to Nashville has been brutal on Steven Stamkos, with just a goal and no assists through his first eight games, his potential is unquestioned. That lone goal was a classic one-time slapshot on a power play and showed flashes of the elite scorer he's always been. The adjustment to the new team and system is taking time, but both Stamkos and the Predators are hoping his return to some familiar territory will reignite his offensive spark.

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