Stamkos, 26, was taken by Tampa Bay with the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft.
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As of Wednesday, sports betting site Bovada did not even offer odds on Stamkos joining the Bruins in free agency.
Star forward Steven Stamkos has reportedly made a decision to remain with the Tampa Bay Lightning, taking the NHL’s most coveted potential free agent off the market two days before the signing period opens.
McKenzie reported the deal to keep Stamkos in Tampa was worth $8.5 million per season for eight years.
Stamkos returned for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, a game the Lightning lost to the Penguins.
The league’s free-agent interview period began on Saturday.
Speculation on where Stamkos could end up has been circulating for months, with the Toronto Maple Leafs atop the list of suitors.
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During the last regular season, Stamkos scored 36 goals and 64 points, according to TSN. He’s dealt with a few different freakish injuries, including a broken leg several seasons ago and blood clots this past season, but he’s been everything the Lightning wanted and more.
