If Steven Stamkos hadn't seen a slip in his point production in recent seasons, there wouldn't have been much conversation about the Tampa Bay Lightning paying him big bucks. But a drop from 1.19 points per game at his peak in 2012-13 to 0.83 points per contest in his contract year drew questions about the age curve, playing center over not, his relationship with head coach Jon Cooper and whether a leg injury in 2013-14 may have affected his game.
But after spending the entire 2015-16 season debating whether the Lightning or any other team should sign the superstar to the league's most lucrative contract, Stamkos has opened the season looking like he has returned to his status as an elite scorer, by posting 19 points in his first 16 games.
A tweak by head coach Jon Cooper deserves credit for the Tampa Bay captain's rejuvenation.
