Yzerman wants to know Stamkos' decision 'sooner than later'

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is hopeful Steven Stamkos will make a decision on his future soon.

Yzerman continues to negotiate with Stamkos in the hopes of re-signing the 26-year-old forward. But with no traction made and a plethora of other free agents to contend with, he is hoping that he will soon know what resources he will have to work with.

"We're doing all we can to sign him," Yzerman said of Stamkos, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "What we look like if Stammer re-signs with us, it effects what we can do with our team.

"For us, we'd like to know sooner than later," Yzerman said. "At some point on other players, I have to make a decisions, whether it'd be restricted free agents, or potential trades or qualifying offers and things like that. I've got to make decisions and they can't be put off forever."

Here is a look at the club's free agents this season and next:

Yzerman will certainly have his hands full in the coming weeks and going forward.