For the past few years, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been one of the most electrifying sports teams in Florida. This year, the Lightning are making their third straight post season appearance with the Stanley Cup within their reach. Despite their recent success, the Bolts have hit a bit of a road block.

Team captain, goal leader, and one of the most elite goal scorers in the league, Steven Stamkos, has been unable to participate in the Lightning’s playoff appearance due to a severe blood clot. This is Stamkos’ second major injury in the past few seasons (he suffered a major leg injury in the 2013-2014 season).  Despite Stamkos’ absence, the Bolts have managed to move on to the next round of the playoffs, defeating the Detroit Red Wings four games to one in the series.

With the Lightning’s relative success without their captain’s participation, and his multiple injuries in the past, the Bolts are forced to ask themselves: should they re-sign Steven Stamkos? After this season, Stamkos’ contract expires. Unless the Lightning are willing to give him the salary he requests, he may become a free agent. This means that he can be signed by another NHL team if they can agree on a contract. Unlike several people, I believe the Lightning should keep him for many reasons.

Since his debut in the NHL, Stamkos has been one of the most threatening goal scorers on the ice. A player of his caliber only comes around maybe once in a decade.  Stamkos has been the recipient of the Rocket Richard trophy twice in his career, once in 2010 the other in 2012.  The trophy is awarded to the league-leading goal scorer at the end of every season.  Out of 569 regular season games, Stamkos was able to produce 312 goals.  While he is known as a goal scorer or “sniper,” he is also a terrific team player, receiving 250 assists in the regular season as well.  Those are huge milestones for any player.  Additionally, out of 48 playoff games Stamkos has played in, he earned 35 points for the Bolts.

Looking at Stamkos’ stats, it’s hard to deny the talent he has. If the Lightning allow Stamkos to leave, he takes all of those numbers to another team.  What team wouldn’t want a player with those capabilities?  Stamkos is one of the most desired players in the league for an obvious reason: he can produce.  The Lightning should resign him because as long as he stays healthy, few players in the world can compete with what he has to offer.  Every year he has played, he has been one of the top scorers, and will continue to be.  He’s simply an irreplaceable talent.

Some people may argue that a player like Steven Stamkos is too expensive and can ruin the team’s salary cap. His contract was a five year, $37.5 million dollar deal, totaling $7.5 million a year.  A team’s salary cap is approximately $73 million per year, so $7.5 million is a substantial portion of that. With the success Stamkos is having, he is expected to receive more than that if he is re-signed.  Other teams around the league would gladly pay Stamkos more, as evidenced by offers of $10 million by multiple teams in the past.

Stamkos also has to take into consideration that he is on a team full of potential. The Bolts roster is full of remarkable talent including players like Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, and goalie Ben Bishop, who are considered among the elite in the league.  Last year, the Lightning made it to the Stanley Cup Finals with an average player age of 23, and the young players will only get better.  While giving Stamkos a large contract may deflate the amount the Lightning are able to give other players, he in many ways would be worth it.

Stamkos has said in the past that he will play for less because he feels his chances for success are greatest in Tampa. Even if he demands more, the arsenal of skills he brings to the ice outweigh what other players have on the team.  Are other players on the team elite?  Absolutely.  But they don’t have the reputation or trade value Stamkos has.

Eventually Stamkos will be too expensive to afford but while he is young and in his prime the Lightning should try to hold onto such talent.

People also say the Bolts are proving they can do just fine without Stamkos thanks to the success in round one of the playoffs. Are the Lightning a great team without their captain?  Yes.  Are they better with him?  Definitely.  Stamkos provides intensity unparalleled by any other player and will produce great things for any team on Earth.  If by some chance the Bolts win the Stanley Cup without Stamkos, you can’t base their success on such a small portion of games against four teams.  A game can change within seconds, whether it be a fluke goal or a bad penalty.  Of course Tampa will celebrate just as much with or without Stamkos, but there’s a good chance they wouldn’t even be in the playoffs without the success he has in the regular season.

Clearly the Tampa Bay Lightning should resign Steven Stamkos.