© Rebekah Mohrmann

Life at Bridgestone Arena on an average summer day progresses at a more tranquil rhythm compared to the bustling weeks and months that preceded it.

Tuesday, however, was no ordinary day.

Accompanied by his wife Sandra, Steven Stamkos, the newly acquired forward, made his inaugural visit to the Nashville Predators front offices. As he entered the premises, he was welcomed by a thunderous applause from a multitude of cheerful Smashville employees.

With 16 seasons under his belt, the prolific goal-scorer proudly wore the Tampa Bay Lightning’s bolt logo on his chest. For 10 of those seasons, he sported the coveted ‘C’ stitched above it. As he smiled and waved back, his shirt now proudly displayed a golden Pred Head emblem.

Stamkos acknowledged the adjustment to the new team colors and jersey during a media availability. He mentioned that it took some time to get used to the change, as he had been accustomed to the previous color pattern for many years. However, he considered this reaction to be normal and part of the process. As the initial shock subsided, he started feeling excitement and gratitude towards the organization for their efforts to bring him to the team. The support and belief shown by the fans and the organization played a significant role in his decision-making. Stamkos believed that as they become more familiar with the new colors and experience the support from the team and the city, it will start to feel like their new home.

Stammer checking in pic.twitter.com/qweXKNdjED

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 16, 2024

Stamkos’ decision was heavily influenced by his family, and the experienced NHL player dedicated the weeks after signing a four-year contract with the Predators to ensuring their transition went as seamlessly as possible.

According to Stamkos, as I find myself in the current position in my life, there are many factors to consider beyond simply signing with a new team and hoping for the best. Family is perhaps the most significant aspect, especially when you have young children and a wife who has to manage them while you are away. Nonetheless, we are enthusiastic about this opportunity. The transition may not be easy, particularly with young children and the need to find a new school, but as a family, we are willing to put in the effort. We have heard nothing but positive things about not only the organization and city, but also about raising children and the school system here. All of these considerations play a role in making a decision, and we have been overwhelmed with the positive responses we have received.

Stamkos and his family haven’t had to face this challenging transition alone, despite how intimidating it may be.

Stamkos expressed his gratitude towards Luke Schenn and his wife, Jess, for their exceptional assistance in helping him and his wife settle in. He mentioned how they have been constantly in touch with them, providing valuable support. Despite the unexpected switch involving McDonagh, Luke Schenn and Jess had only positive things to say about the city and the organization. Additionally, Stamkos mentioned his connection with Jonathan Marchessault, who he had previously played with in Tampa. It was comforting to see familiar faces from the Lightning organization, both on and off the ice, which greatly aided them in their transition. Overall, Stamkos described the process as seamless, and after taking some time to process everything that happened, he expressed genuine excitement for the upcoming move.

After officially executing the transition, there will be an opportunity for him to engage in hockey, score goals, and achieve remarkable franchise milestones. As the top scorer in Tampa Bay’s history with 555 goals and 1,137 points, Stamkos is enthusiastic about immersing himself in Head Coach Andrew Brunette’s rapid and offense-focused system.

The style of play is focused on offense, but not in a reckless manner. It emphasizes a system where defensemen quickly pass the puck to forwards, allowing skilled players to take control. When considering which team to join, it is important to evaluate all the necessary components. Nashville had everything – strong goaltending, skilled defensemen, and elite forwards. Additionally, the team’s family-like atmosphere and other factors made it an attractive choice. From a hockey perspective, it was a perfect fit to play alongside highly skilled players and be part of a talented defensive lineup. I am excited for this opportunity.

The exact position of Stamkos in Nashville’s lineup may remain uncertain until the start of the season at 501 Broadway this October. However, it is highly likely that Smashville will witness the prominent inclusion of Tampa Bay’s power-play goals leader (214) on the Predators’ special teams unit. It is worth noting that the Predators’ special teams unit ranked 16th in the NHL last season.

Stamkos, who topped the NHL’s power play charts with 19 goals last season and has consistently scored double digits in power-play goals for the past seven years, is eager to make a valuable contribution in that department as well.

He expressed his enjoyment for that aspect of the game, emphasizing the significance of special teams in today’s game. He acknowledged that during crucial moments in the playoffs, special teams can determine the outcome of a series. Recognizing his long-standing role on the power play, he intends to continue in that position. He considers himself fortunate to have played alongside exceptional players in Tampa and believes that Nashville aligns with his criteria for potential teams. He eagerly anticipates playing alongside top-tier players like Roman Josi, Forsberg, O’Reilly, Nyquist, and Marchessault. With numerous possible combinations, he feels confident and comfortable in that area and hopes to maintain his level of productivity.

Naturally, all of these efforts are aimed at obtaining the identical trophy that Stamkos has previously raised on two occasions.

Confident in his new team’s potential, Stamkos believes that the Predators roster, comprising four Stanley Cup Champions, two Conn Smythe Trophy winners, and a pool of talented young players, is poised to make a strong impression in Music City during the spring season.

Stamkos expressed, “Our ultimate goal is to secure a Stanley Cup victory. It’s the driving force behind why we step onto the ice, although some individuals might hesitate to admit it due to the added pressure it brings. However, personally, I firmly believe that in order to achieve something, you must first have unwavering faith in your ability to accomplish it. Therefore, our collective expectation is to not only qualify for the playoffs but also make a noteworthy run. I believe this is a realistic assessment of what our team is capable of achieving.”