Steven Stamkos says Tampa Bay Lightning can win Stanley Cup

The Tampa Bay Lightning were swept out of the postseason this past year by a far superior Montreal Canadiens team that themselves almost made the Stanley Cup had it not been for a superior New York Rangers squad.

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But while the season ended with a giant thud, the Lightning are trying to keep things light and are moving forward with their offseason as though nothing is all that different from where they were last year. Despite the loss in the playoffs, Tampa Bay’s most talented player is rallying behind the idea that his team can realistically contend for the Stanley Cup this season.

According to NHL.com, Stamkos is under the impression that the Lightning can contend for the Stanley Cup in 2014-15.

"“We have a good thing going down in Tampa,” Stamkos told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. “We have a great owner, we’ve got a great GM in Steve Yzerman, and we’ve got a good young team. I want to win, and hopefully I can do it in Tampa.”"

It’s not that the Lightning can’t win the Stanley Cup, it’s just that the Eastern Conference isn’t always the easiest conference to win out on and Tampa Bay has learned that the hard way more than one time. This past season showed them how cruel a mistress the East can be but if health isn’t an issue again for Tampa Bay this upcoming season, they can more than likely get into the postseason with a higher seed than they did last year.