free agent Nikita Kucherov, who had a breakout postseason during Stamkos absence.There is also speculation that the Lightning m | Forum

A look at whats happening all around the majors today:---PITCHING INTwo of the NLs ERA leaders square off when the Cubs Jason Hammel (7-4, 2. Fake NHL Jerseys .58) faces the Mets Jacob deGrom (3-4, 2.67). Hammel has lost three of his past four starts despite a 3.70 ERA, including a hard-luck 6-1 loss to Miami last time out in which Hammel allowed two runs in six innings. Luck hasnt been on deGroms side, either. The right-hander hasnt won since April 30, and New York lost 1-0 to Julio Teheran and the Braves in his last start.RELIEF NEEDEDAfter losing two straight to the Yankees on game-ending plays in the ninth inning, the Rangers and their struggling bullpen continue a 10-game road trip at Minnesota. Texas leads the majors with nine walk-off defeats, and no other team had more than five entering Thursday. Despite boasting the best record in the AL, Texas has the highest bullpen ERA (4.88) in the league. Despite all of that, the Rangers are an impressive 17-6 in one-run games.NO PLACE LIKE HOMECorey Seager and the Dodgers begin a season-high 10-game homestand with three games against the Rockies. Los Angeles banged-up rotation took another hit Thursday with news that Clayton Kershaw was headed for the disabled list , and newly acquired Bud Norris is expected to start the opener against Colorado. The Dodgers have been buoyed in the meantime by blossoming shortstop Corey Seager, who hit .337 with seven home runs and a 1.053 OPS in June.POWERLESS ANGELSThe Angels are 32-47 entering a three-game series in Boston, putting them on pace for the worst record in franchise history. Manager Mike Scioscia held a closed-door meeting after the team lost for the ninth time in 10 games Wednesday, and although everybody described the meeting as relatively upbeat, the Angels didnt emerge with any big ideas on how to slow a season going south. Among the reasons for Los Angeles struggles: the Angels rank in the bottom third of the AL in home runs and slugging percentage. We know weve seen some guys performing at their absolute worst for the first half, and we know theyre better than that, Scioscia said. Thats going to be our goal, to get those guys going in the right direction. ... I dont think these guys are taking losing in stride. I think thats a positive.WELCOME BACKAnthony DeSclafani (2-0, 1.52) looks for another solid start in a game against the Nationals. DeSclafani has been mostly dominant for the Reds since making his season debut in early June after recovering from an oblique injury. Last time out, the 26-year-old right-hander threw eight innings of five-hit ball in a 3-0 win over San Diego. Washington counters with right-hander Tanner Roark (7-5, 2.96).DOMINANT FOR DETROITTigers right-hander Michael Fulmer (7-2) looks to extend his stretch of allowing one run or fewer over eight consecutive starts against the Rays. His current seven-game run ties Justin Verlander (2011) and Al Benton (1945) for the longest by a Tigers pitcher since 1913. Clearance NHL Jerseys .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/ . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. The Steven Stamkos sweepstakes didnt even reach the official start of NHL free agency.The Tampa Bay Lightning?signed their star captain to an eight-year deal Wednesday, keeping him off the market two days before free agency begins.?I am excited to move forward with the Lightning today for the next eight years, Stamkos said in a statement. Its not often that a player gets the chance to spend his career in one organization and I am hopeful that this agreement sets me on that path with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Most importantly, I look forward to working with my teammates, coaches and our management in our pursuit of winning a Stanley Cup.An NHL source said the contract is worth an average of $8.5 million annually. Only $1 million per year of that, however, is in pure salary; the rest is payable in signing bonuses. The deal also includes a full no-movement clause for all eight seasons, a source said.?We were just in a little group chat with the boys, and were all just so excited, so happy that hes coming back, Lightning veteran Brian Boyle said. Obviously, its been probably a process for him, but it just shows you the character he has and the kind of guy he is and what he really wanted. We couldnt be more thrilled to have him back. Hes our captain, our leader.Stamkos has spent his entire eight-year career with the Lightning, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 2008. He has scored 312 goals in 569 games since beginning his career in 2008-09, second only to Alex Ovechkin (362) over that span. He has averaged 0.55 goals per game in his career.The Markham, Ontario, native is a four-time All-Star and has led the Lightning in goals in six of the past seven seasons, including two seasons of 50 or more goals: 51 in 2009-10 and 60 in 2011-12.?Stamkos was the rare franchise player set to hit free agency after contract talks with the Lightning extended into this weeks interview window, and the interest in him was intense. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens were all expected to be in on Stamkos when he hit frree agency Friday, but his desire to win a Stanley Cup with the team that drafted him won out. NHL Jerseys Outlet. We are very appreciative of the effort and commitment that Steven and his representatives have exhibited in getting a deal done, GM Steve Yzerman said. We are excited to have him as a cornerstone part of the team for the next eight years as we continue in the franchises ultimate goal of winning another Stanley Cup.The Lightning advanced to the Stanley Cup finals in 2015. This spring, with Stamkos out recovering from a blood clot, they reached the Eastern Conference finals, falling to the?Pittsburgh Penguins?in seven games. Of all his?suitors, Tampa Bay was probably the closest to being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender in the short term.He has an opportunity, a rare opportunity, to go into free agency at such a young age, and obviously, he had a lot of suitors, a lot of dollar signs pointing at him, but what he wants to do is he wants to win, Boyle said. He takes being a captain very seriously, and he wants to win. He showed it in Game 7 against the Penguins, coming back and playing. He showed what a captain, a leader, a guy of high character should do. If hes leading the way, you better fall in line because thats the way things are going to go. Its a great strength of our team, and it goes to show you how strong of a character guy he is, and he makes everybody else better for it.?Stamkos was the focus for Yzerman,?but Yzermans work is just starting. The Lightning still need to sign restricted free agent Nikita Kucherov, who had a breakout postseason during Stamkos absence.There is also speculation that the Lightning might need to trade a goalie, with Bishop the most likely candidate.On Friday, the Lightning also can sign franchise defenseman Victor Hedman to a contract extension.It makes for a busy offseason for Yzerman, but the most challenging deal is done.Information from ESPNs Joe McDonald and Pierre LeBrun was used in this report. ' ' '