Steven Stamkos' departure from the Tampa Bay Lightning was marked by feelings of betrayal, as he described negotiations as falling short. Meanwhile, the Lightning have revitalized their team dynamics, with players like Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov thriving. In contrast, the Nashville Predators struggle at the bottom of the league.

The article discusses the importance of team momentum in contract decisions, highlighting the Panthers' successful re-signing of Sam Reinhart and the Canucks' risky extension of Elias Pettersson. It raises questions about the Toronto Maple Leafs' future with Mitch Marner, suggesting they may need to make tough decisions to improve.