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Lightning's Steven Stamkos: 'Unfinished business' in Tampa

Stamkos, who agreed to an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with the Lightning on Wednesday, likely could have hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1 while commanding a higher salary with another club, but the state of Florida has no income tax which is believed to have helped the Lightning retain him at a relatively low rate, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Stamkos just finished out a five-year deal worth $7.5 million annually, so the star center is only getting a modest raise to stay put in Tampa Bay. Still, it seems that Stamkos has passed up potentially higher earnings with an even greater focus on winning his first Stanley Cup. After the Bolts were ousted by the Penguins after seven games in the conference finals this past offseason, Stamkos said, "We have some unfinished business." Stamkos dealt with a blood clot near his right collarbone that required surgery last April, though he ended up playing in Game 7 against the Pens, plus the issue didn't stop several teams from showing interest in his services.

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