Stamkos scored his 17th goal in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Calgary. He now has a point in each of his last two games.

EDGE Analysis

It feels odd to laud a superstar for getting a point in back-to-back games, but that's what it's been like with Stamkos this season. The sniper has just 30 points in 40 games this season which projects to his worst full-season production since his rookie year. There are few possible explanations. There's the issue of his contract extension. And that broken leg. But there was also the Marty St. Louis trade -- Stamkos and Mighty Mite made beautiful music together. His future should be brighter, but that might not be this season. Or in Tampa at all.

Lightning owner Jeff Vinik feels strongly the Lightning will sign Steven Stamkos to a long-term deal, reports Tampa Bay Times. "Absolutely," Vinik said. "I'm sure that this process will work itself out in a good manner."

EDGE Analysis

Vinik doesn't seem to be an active participant in the negotiations, though -- he leaves all hockey business to general manager Steve Yzerman. "One of the reasons we've been successful with our hockey program is I let Steve Yzerman run it," continued Vinik. "So I think as long as I'm owner here, Steve Yzerman will be making those decisions [players and contracts]." The decision on Stammer is a difficult one given all the contracts the team needs to write over the next couple years. Stamkos could warrant $10-11 million a year over eight years and inking that means the team is set to go in a specific direction, perhaps without some of the other young guys on the roster.

Stamkos had two power-play goals and one assist in a 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

EDGE Analysis

The heat is on for Stamkos, who has now delivered six points, including five goals, in his last four games. And since Nov. 1, he has 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 24 games. That's a good, solid pace, but still not at the point-per-game rate we'd like to see. However, Stamkos' power-play production is close to that of his best seasons -- he has nine PPG in 36 games, a rate that might result in 20 snipes with the man advantage.

Stamkos scored two goals in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Senators. One came on the power play.

EDGE Analysis

That's three in his last two games after going 10 games without. Stammer is a stud, but his production has been below the point-per-game level ever since he busted his leg. Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but we're not entirely sure. Stamkos does have eight points in his last 10 games, so perhaps this is the start of something sweet.

Stamkos finally scored his 12th goal of the season Friday in a 5-3 loss to Washington.

EDGE Analysis

The goal snaps a 10-game goal drought for the 25-year-old sniper, who has been having a down year by his standards with just 23 points in 33 games -- a 57-point pace. Stamkos is a career 0.99 point-per-game player (521 in 525 games) so while his 0.7 point-per-game pace is bound to increase, he still hasn't quite been himself this year. His 81 shots on goal -- a 201-shot pace -- are markedly fewer than normal as well, as he's fired 268, 303, 272 and 297 on net in his last four full NHL seasons. Is he nursing an injury or being distracted by contract negotiations and an uncertain future in Tampa? It's hard to say, but owners need him to get it together soon. Hopefully Friday's snipe is a sign of things to come.

Stamkos had an assist in Saturday's loss to Washington, but saw his goal-scoring drought hit eight games.

EDGE Analysis

He does have five assists in those eight games. We're not overly concerned with the slump -- Stammer has seen them before. He scored 43 goals last season and had a seven-game slump late in the year. But is worth noting that since April 16, Stamkos has just 18 goals in his last 56 games. We would like to see him pick things up a bit, though -- his lack of production has cursed those of you who drafted him in the top three this season.

Stamkos has two goals in his last 10 games and just three shots in the past three. Both goals came in the same game.

EDGE Analysis

The 2015-16 season has been an odd one for some of the NHL's top stars and Stamkos is in that group. Yes, he could explode at any moment, but he needs to fire the puck. And he has been held to just one or fewer shots in five of his last 10 games. Stamkos is too good for this to continue, but he's a tough roll right now. You can't sit him, although we know you've been cringing in daily formats.

Stamkos set up both Tampa goals in a 3-2 loss to the Islanders on Saturday night.

EDGE Analysis

Stammer has had multi-point efforts his last three Saturday games, but nothing in between. It is a bit odd, but at least there's a bit of life in his game. Still, he's on a 36-goal, 62-point pace and that would be his lowest point-per-game pace since (gulp) his rookie year. The Bolts aren't exactly blowing the barn doors off their opponents these days, but they've also been stung by injuries. Stammer's output will improve when he doesn't have to be the only scorer in town.

Stamkos had two goals and an assist in Saturday's 5-0 win over Anaheim. He has seven goals and 12 points in seven career games against the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

One of the goals and the assist came with the man advantage. Stammer is starting to warm up -- he has six goals and four assists in his last 10 games and four of those goals have come with the man advantage. It's only a matter of time before he goes from good production to elite.

Stamkos' point streak now stands at three games and four points with two assists in Saturday's shootout loss to Florida.

EDGE Analysis

He's finally warming up -- he has seven points in his last seven games. And four of those were goals. But the Bolts have only gone 3-4 in those seven games. We'd like to see Stamkos carry his team a bit more.