Steven Stamkos is one of the greatest snipers in NHL history
“I never thought this day would come. I did everything I felt I could do to make it work, but sometimes things just happen. It didn’t work. And I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t heartbreaking.”
— Steven Stamkos, July 2024
Tampa Bay’s captain penned these somber words in The Players’ Tribune in the 2024 offseason. For the first time in over a decade, however, Stamkos wasn’t the Lightning captain. In a shocking twist, the franchise moved on without their beloved star of 16 years. He was off to Nashville, the softspoken sniper ready to don an unfamiliar, garish gold sweater over 700 miles away.
There’s been little to cheer about in Nashville so far. The Predators are stuck between the playoff fringes and a draft lottery pick. Stamkos turns 36 in February. Rumors swirl on whether a contender might digest the remaining two-plus years of his $8-million contract after a mini-resurgence — 12 goals in 14 December games.
But we’re not here today to discuss Stamkos’ current form. Or to speculate on his final destination. 18 seasons into a decorated career, we’re here in search of Stamkos’ legacy. And much like his patented one-time laser from the left circle, it too might take your breath away.
The Present: 600 Goals and Counting
“You couldn’t script it any better. I mean, from that spot where he’s shot so many pucks, I’ve been on the wrong end of a lot of those pucks, and it’s fun to be on the right end of one of his goals. Just extremely happy for him.”
— Head coach Andrew Brunette on Stamkos’ 600th career goal, December 2025
On New Year’s Eve, Stamkos joined an exclusive club when he lit his 600th career NHL lamp. Only 22 players have reached the milestone. But he’s only the third Millennial — born 1980 to 1994 — to score 600 goals. Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, two of the greatest players of all-time, are the only others.
Stamkos may also be the last of his generation to enter the club. Evgeni Malkin (522) and Patrick Kane (498) are out of time and scoring punch. John Tavares (509) is the best bet but good health and 30-goal seasons usually disappear after 35. Corey Perry (457) is already 40 years old. Brad Marchand (447) doesn’t have 153 goals in his stick at age 37. Anze Kopitar (446) is retiring this spring.
Why have so few Millennials scored 600?
Their peak years were offensive graveyards. The decade from 2007 to 2017 was the worst ten-year stretch for offense since JFK was elected President in 1961. Worst since expansion. Worse than The Dead Puck Era. Throw in three abbreviated seasons from a lockout and pandemic and a generation’s true brilliance gets underappreciated.
When we adjust for era — scaling stat lines to a neutral scoring climate with 82-game schedules — Stamkos leaps from 22nd to 9th in career goals. Relative to his own time, only eight players in 109 years of NHL hockey have outscored ‘Stammer.’ And he isn’t done yet. Despite a slow start, he’s scoring at a 36-goal pace and has over 200 potential games left under his current contract.
How high might he rise on the adjusted leaderboard?
Another 18 goals in the second half of this season, plus two 25-goal seasons under the new 84-game schedule debuting next year, and Stamkos is top-five between Wayne Gretzky and Teemu Selanne. Seriously.
The Past: Seen Stamkos?
“To this day, it’s probably one of the worst points I’ve ever had in my career. The whole first 20 games of my career, it was tough. There were times I was lying in bed and thinking, ‘Maybe it’s better if I just go back and play junior.’
— Steven Stamkos on his 2008-09 rookie season, September 2024
seen stamkos? toxic – owners, sportsnet article,
free agency, decline
The Future
“It hasn’t been easy for him because he’s a proud guy. He’s a Hall of Famer. But he didn’t bring anybody down. He tried to lift everybody around him. So when you see nights like [Thursday], it kind of touches your heart a little bit because I understand how hard that is.”
— Brunette on Stamkos’ four-goal game last month after a slow start to season, December 2025
soft-spoken, strawhaired
We already know his career will end with a plaque in the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.