Lightning owner confident Yzerman will sign Stamkos to contract extension

Though Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos remains without a contract extension, owner Jeff Vinik is confident a deal will get done.

Vinik is not worried about the fact that the sides haven't come to an agreement yet, but he has faith that general manager Steve Yzerman and Stamkos will work something out.

"I have confidence in both guys," Vinik told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Steve, as I said is one of the best managers in the league and Stamkos is one of the best players in the league."

Some have suggested money could be an issue for the Lightning, as the team will see the likes of Alex Killorn, J.T. Brown, Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, and Cedric Paquette become restricted free agents after the 2016 season.

However, that shouldn't be a problem, as Smith noted Vinik has given Yzerman the "green light" on money for a Stamkos extension.

Stamkos is in the final year of a five-year, $37.5-million contract.