The Tampa Lightning are more than just a slumping NHL team.
They are a mess right now.
I don't believe in the proverbial "Stanley Cup Hangover" narrative. That's crap. The Bolts were eliminated from the Cup Finals by Pat Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks. It's not like they were the team partying with the Stanley Cup all season long.
Their on ice performances have been inconsistent and less than inspired.
Off the ice, the Steven Stamkos contract extension stalemate and other trade rumors seemingly are distracting the Lightning.
So, where have all of the snipers gone?
The Lightning scored an NHL best 259 goals for in 2014-15. That's an average of 3.16 goals per game.
Since starting season 3-0, Jon Cooper's team is 4-8-2. Four of Tampa's win have come against the re-purposed Buffalo Sabres.
The Bolts have now lost seven of its last nine games.
Why?
Tampa's BB gun offense is averaging only 1.3 goals per game during the 9-game swoon.
The nine game slump is symptomatic of bigger issues that have taken a stranglehold on the defending Eastern Conference champions.
After 17 games, the once lethal Lightning offense is ranked #24 in the NHL having scored only 39 goals. Scoring 2.29 goals is one of the reasons why the Bolts are mired in mediocrity.
Off the ice, the Steven Stamkos contract discussions, or lack thereof, have to be an issue in the room. Stamkos is the team's best player and one of the top five players in the world. He will become UFA in July 2016 if Bolts GM Steve Yzerman and the agent for Stamkos. Don Meehan, cannot arrive at a mutually beneficial long term contract extension. If he re-signs with Tampa, Stamkos will be living in the same neighborhood (8 year / $84 million) as Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane. Yzerman and the player's agent have been radio silent on the contract extension for months, choosing to work under clock and dagger in total silence. Is progress being made towards a new contract extension? There is no way to know. Yzerman won't speak on the subject.
Remember last summer when the Detroit Red Wings and Mike Babcock were "discussing" a lucrative, long term contract extension? How did that work out for the Red Wings? Stamkos has become this season's Babcock. The prized free agent that is in hot demand.
I don't doubt that Yzerman and the agent are talking. What I'm beginning to doubt is that Stamkos and the Bolts are close to getting a contract done in the near future.
Stamkos trade rumors seemingly gain more steam every day. Stamkos has a no movement clause and has 100% of the leverage in the contract talks with the Bolts. The other players in the room look at the status of Stamkos' contract and think: "If Stevie Y can drag his skates on the captain's contract, what will he do to me in my next negotiation"?
The Bolts have only $1.2 million in salary cap space today. Yzerman will have to move out a couple of hefty contracts in order to create salary cap space for a Stamkos jumbo-sized contracts extension. Veteran D Matt Carle is now available on the trade market. Veteran goalie Ben Bishop's name is also popping up in trade rumors. Carle earns $5.5 million and Bishop earns $5.9 million. Yzerman could create the requisite cap space to sign Stamkos to a long term contract extension. The numbers jibe on Yzerman's legal pad, however, what do the players in the room think about management trading away veteran, stand up guys? Carle and Bishop played large roles in getting the Bolts to the Stanley Cup Finals last season.
Are Stamkos and Jon Cooper getting along these days?
Too many questions and not enough answers.