TORONTO — There he was on Monday, the local kid an entire city once thought could be the so-called saviour of Toronto’s NHL team, skating at the Maple Leafs practice facility, wearing the same shade of dark blue jersey the Maple Leafs do for home games.
This is what so many Leaf fans wanted to see at one time — Steven Stamkos at the MasterCard Centre wearing Maple Leaf colours.
Except, as we all know, Stamkos is not a Maple Leaf. He’s donning Tampa Bay Lightning blue by choice, one he says has made him “happy.”
If you are a Leaf supporter, maybe you should be, too.
For the first time since Stamkos opted against the overwhelming recruiting tactics of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment — not to mention Toronto mayor John Tory and the CEO of Canadian Tire — the Markham native will face the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday night, all the while knowing an eight-year, US$68 million contract will keep him in Tampa Bay blue for much of the next decade.
Moreover, he’ll be relieved to understand that the scene Tuesday should be much less chaotic than his last visit here with the Lightning on March 15, a night when fans were handed “Sign Stamkos” signs.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped him from still being asked about his ultimate decision to return to the Lightning — and, of course, what kind of greeting he might receive from the pro-Leaf crowd at the ACC Tuesday night.
Consider this snapshot of his light-hearted exchange with the media after the Lightning’s noontime workout on Monday.
REPORTER: “It must be nice to come to Toronto for an NHL game and not having to answer a lot of questions about your choice.”
STAMKOS: “Well, I’m answering questions about it right now.”
REPORTER: “This will be the last one.”
STAMKOS: “I doubt it.”
Stamkos then chuckled.
“I know what you’re saying,” Stamkos said. “This year, having got the contract done, you come to the rink with a clear mind.”
That wasn’t always the case last season, one in which he constantly fielded inquries about his future. It was, he says now, something that took its toll on him at the time.
Said Stamkos: “I tried to do the best I could do with it last year, (but) as much as you try to park that stuff in the back of your mind, it’s always there … For me personally, there were definitely times where it was stressful. Now, it’s just coming to the rink and have fun and doing what you can to help the team win.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a doubt in my mind since I made the decision,” he added. “That’s something that, when you make the decision, that’s why you do all the due diligence, do all the question and answer stuff, so that when you make that decision, you look at yourself in the mirror and know you’ve made the right one.
“I’ve said it from Day 1 that I’m the leader of this team, privileged being the captain and love this group of guys. You never know what’s going to happen in your career. I’ve been through some injuries in my career, some freak things, and realize the opportunity we have here with this organization. It’s a special time, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
In the end, Stamkos opted for the organization that gave him the best shot at a Stanley Cup. Teammates Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov felt the same way, with both subsequently inking multi-year deals to remain in Tampa as well.
Having spent the summer in the GTA, Stamkos said he did not feel the wrath of any local Leafs fans who may have felt snubbed — at least not face to face.
“I haven’t had a bad experience yet in person,” he said. “People can say what they want on social media. That’s the era we’re in where you can hide behind a computer screen and say whatever you want.
“I’ve always had a love for this city. I grew up in this area. I have friends and family here. I enjoy coming back here in the summertime — it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world, especially in the summer.”
His father, Chris, didn’t notice any backlash towards his son’s choice either, although “there might have been some relatives who were disappointed.
“They wanted to see him play in person more and it would have been easier here,” Chris Stamkos chucked.
When all was said and done, things likely worked out well for all parties concerns. Stamkos is content to be with the team that drafted him. The Lightning is glad to have its captain back. And the Leafs, well, they are enthused with the bright future youngsters like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander offer.
And as for the reception Stamkos will get at the ACC Tuesday, Lightning coach Jon Cooper had the perfect answer.
“I hope it’s a good one, seeing as he just represented Canada at the World Cup,” Cooper said.
Besides, there’s a new so-called fan saviour in town. His name is Auston Matthews. He wears No. 34. And, unlike Stamkos, he does have a Maple Leaf crest on his blue uniform.