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STAMFORD, Conn. — Martin St. Louis knows from experience what Steven Stamkos was feeling and the emotions that poured through him three-and-a-half weeks ago when reality hit that his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning was over.

According to St. Louis, who is currently coaching the Montreal Canadiens, he believes that Stamkos will greatly benefit from his move to the Nashville Predators. St. Louis expects Stamkos to become a more versatile and knowledgeable player in the league, especially since he recently signed a four-year, $32 million contract on July 1.

After spending over 12 seasons in Tampa Bay, St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers on March 5, 2014, marking a similar experience to what St. Louis had encountered in St. Louis over a decade ago.

St. Louis expressed his emotions about leaving during the Shoulder Check Showcase charity event at Terry Connors Rink on Thursday. He chose not to delve into the details of how everything was handled. Although it is difficult to depart, he believes it is beneficial for ‘Stammer’ to explore new opportunities. Staying in the same place for such a long time, as he was fortunate to do, can be nice. After spending 16 years there, it is a significant duration. St. Louis believes that in hindsight, ‘Stammer’ will appreciate the chance to experience something different and be content with the new and promising situation he is entering.

Stamkos entered into an agreement with the Predators, which was not an option for him during his time in Tampa Bay. This decision marked the conclusion of his impressive 16-season tenure with the Lightning. His journey began in 2008 as the first overall pick in the NHL Draft, and he eventually assumed the captaincy for 10 years after taking over from St. Louis when he was traded to the Rangers.

St. Louis mentioned that he had a conversation with Stamkos subsequent to his decision to join the Predators. During their discussion, he shared his personal encounter and emotions when he was traded to the Rangers.

“Without a doubt, it was a completely different experience, but it was filled with intense emotions,” St. Louis expressed. “There were numerous changes and uncertainties. Although his children were slightly younger than mine were at that time, there were still plenty of adjustments to navigate. Reflecting on my own career, I was fortunate to join a phenomenal team in New York. Although we fell short, we possessed the potential to win two championships. Unfortunately, it just didn’t materialize. On the other hand, he is joining a team that is poised to be a strong contender. I advised him that when I look back on my own journey, I am grateful for the choices I made, particularly having some influence over where I ended up going.”

The contrast lies in their departure from Tampa Bay.

St. Louis, seeking a change, expressed his desire to be traded from Tampa Bay and played a crucial role in enabling his move to New York through the utilization of his no-trade clause.

Stamkos had a strong desire to rejoin the Lightning and made his dissatisfaction known prior to last season, expressing disappointment over the lack of progress in securing a new contract. Despite maintaining hope until late June, he eventually reached a point where he felt he was making excessive compromises to facilitate the creation of a new agreement.

According to Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois, the team’s options with the 34-year-old player were restricted due to salary cap considerations. Going beyond these limitations would potentially hinder Tampa Bay’s chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

“After signing with Nashville on July 1,” Stamkos explained, “you maintain hope until the final moments. However, if you don’t receive any updates or witness any changes, you must possess the ability to adjust and ultimately make a decision. The most challenging aspect is clinging onto something that may not reciprocate the desire to hold onto you.”

According to St. Louis, he believes that Stamkos will benefit from having the summer to recover from the difficult breakup and adjust to his new environment.

St. Louis expressed that the wound remained fresh and he felt compelled to engage in activities. The wound hadn’t healed yet, leaving little time for closure. St. Louis believes that he has seen a change in attitude and anticipates his excitement for the future.

He finds himself in an excellent scenario.