Lightning-Stamkos talks expected to resume today

Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman kicked off a busy week Monday by issuing qualifying offers for several of the Lightning's pending restricted free agents, while signing another.

Yzerman announced the signing of defenseman Bruno Gervais, who was acquired Saturday from the New York Islanders, to a one-year, one-way contract worth a reported $550,000.

Meanwhile, the Lightning did not issue offers to defensemen Mike Lundin or Matt Smaby, along with five others, allowing them to become unrestricted free agents beginning Friday when the free agency period begins.

Tampa Bay did issue qualifying offers to Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell, in addition to Johan Harju, Riku Helenius and Scott Jackson. By issuing the offers, Tampa Bay retains the rights to each player and allows the Lightning to match any offer sheets opposing teams might put forth, particularly to Stamkos, whose name has been burning up the rumor mill.

Negotiations for Stamkos were held during draft weekend in Minneapolis and will continue this week, according to Yzerman, who is scheduled to reach out to Stamkos' agent today.

"My expectation is I will speak to Don (Meehan),'' Yzerman said. "I am still optimistic that we can get something accomplished and I look forward to speaking to him.''

Yzerman also continues to hold what he calls positive discussions with Purcell, who had 51 points during the regular season and added 17 during the playoffs. Purcell made $750,000 last season and is eligible to file for arbitration should the sides not come to an agreement.

"Our discussions have been amicable and I'm confident we will be able to come to an agreement,'' Yzerman said.

Coming to terms with Lundin, however, was not possible before Monday's deadline and Yzerman said the team did not issue a qualifying offer because of a potential arbitration award that might be handed to Lundin, who made $750,000 last season.

"We still have interest in bringing him back,'' Yzerman said. "We still have some time … and we'll see what happens over the next couple of days.''

Also not issued qualifying offers were former first-round pick Vladimir Mihalik, former second-round pick Smaby, Paul Szczechura, Alex Berry, Stefano Giliati, Levi Nelson and Kevin Quick, although Quick signed a minor-league deal with Tampa Bay's farm team, the Norfolk Admirals.

Smaby just completed his fourth season with the Lightning but was limited to 32 games as he had a difficult time getting into the lineup under Guy Boucher's up-tempo style.

"Matt is a great guy, he's a good teammate and he was very professional about everything,'' Yzerman said. "By not qualifying him, he has the opportunity to explore other opportunities, but it doesn't rule out the possibility of bringing him back.''