Longtime Lightning star Steven Stamkos could become free agent

(Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports)
The Tampa Bay Lightning and longtime star Steven Stamkos are unlikely to reach an agreement on a new deal prior to the start of NHL free agency.

Stamkos, the team captain since March 2014, will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday if the two sides remain without a deal.

"If we had reached an agreement at this point, we would gladly have sent out a press release