"It's tough leaving," St. Louis said during a charity event in Connecticut. "I'm not going to delve into how everything was handled, but a change of scenery might be good for 'Stammer.' Staying with one team for 16 years is rare, and I think he'll look back positively on this new chapter."
St. Louis, who spent six seasons with Stamkos in Tampa Bay, also faced a significant transition, leaving the Lightning after a Hall of Fame career to join the New York Rangers. Unlike St. Louis, Stamkos had hoped to finish his career in Tampa Bay, but contract negotiations fell through, leading him to sign a four-year, $32 million deal with the Predators.
Despite his mixed emotions about leaving the Lightning, Stamkos, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a top goal-scorer, remains optimistic. St. Louis noted, "I told him that I look back on my experience and am glad I did what I did, especially being able to choose where I went. I believe he's excited for what lies ahead."
