The Tampa Bay Lightning have achieved incredible success with Steven Stamkos as captain, so why have rumours and reports surfaced that the veteran may be traded? <h2>Lightning GM Addresses Stamkos trade rumours</h2> Over the summer, reports emerged that Stamkos' future as a member of the Lightning won't extend beyond 2023-24 as he becomes a free agent, with the possibility that he's traded before then. However, General Manager Julien Brisebois has now made it clear that no matter what happens in free agency, Stamkos won't be traded at or before the upcoming March 8 trade deadline. <q>Steven Stamkos is not getting traded so we can put that one to bed. That is not going to change between now and the deadline under any circumstances.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Gabby_Shirley_/status/1747293155114774860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1747293155114774860%7Ctwgr%5E2d1d312ec35050743f03699fae16f39d5e9d117f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fembed.attrnum.com%2Fapi%2Fiiffrraammee%3Furl%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2FGabby_Shirley_2Fstatus2F1747293155114774860key%3D04df9a13f774ca241e92fd230cc38287v%3D1app%3D1'> </a></blockquote></div> <h2>Will the Tampa Bay icon retire in Tampa Bay?</h2> After being drafted No. 1 overall back in 2008, Stamkos has done nothing but succeed with the Lightning and lead them in a commendable way, but with his contract coming up and the team near the salary cap, this summer could mean the end of the relationship. Stamkos currently has 1,044 games played for the Lightning with 533 goals and 1,097 career points, and with two Stanley Cups under his belt, it's safe to say that if this is the end, he'll go down as one of, if not the single greatest player in franchise history. As Read on Hockey Feed - <a href='https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/lightning-gm-makes-a-statement-on-steven-stamkos-future-with-the-team?fbclid=IwAR1q4zW34Oliv3xWx9uQ89lBrY_nZY2o0Ri_KQiPTZvUv99r12Rnx1nGicA' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Lightning GM makes a statement on Steven Stamkos' future with the team</a>