Blackhawks forward Pat Maroon opens up about Tampa Bay Lightning organization

Many players and fans were stunned by Tampa Bay after their major decision to remove their Stanley Cup winning forward, Steven Stamkos, from their organization.

Stamkos' separation from the Tampa Bay Lighting was nothing less than an unexpected move.

After 16 years with the organization, winning two Stanley Cups and creating a legacy of one of the greatest of all time, this unremarkable captain has been sent to the Nashville Predators in free agency.

Former Tampa Bay player, Pat Maroon, who now plays for the Chicago Blackhawks, did not resist to express his emotions towards this outrageous move.

Maroon made an appearance recently on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast and discussed his opinion towards the former Tampa Bay Lighting captain.

This unfortunate turn of events began last offseason when Steven Stamkos expressed his frustration regarding a lack of extension talk throughout his organization.

Although many believed Tampa Bay was determined to find a way for Stamkos to continue his career with the organization, his offer when free agency opened was shocking.

A $24 million deal on an eight-year contract was the low-ball offer Stamkos received, despite his 81 point season for 2023-24.

The Lightning had cleared over $10 million in their cap space after trading their former players, Tanner Jeannot and Mikhail, but they didn't blink an eye.

Despite their ability to keep this super-star in their line-up, they acquired Jake Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes, giving him a $63 million deal on a seven-year, just moments after Stamkos was sent off to the Nashville Predators

Maroon expressed:

Pat Maroon is now playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, but did not bat an eye when revealing that Stamkos' departure did not sit well with the Tampa Bay locker room, in the recent Spittin' Chiclets podcast.

Although many were furious about the major move the organization made on behalf of a franchise legend, karma may have run it's course.

Tampa has struggled to find consistency throughout their season since pushing out their previous captain.