TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Monday that Steven Stamkos will not be traded before the February 29 NHL trade deadline.

The Lightning center is still in contract negotiations.

Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman issued the following statement when making the announcement on Monday:

“As February 29th approaches, I am stating today that Steven Stamkos will not be traded before the NHL’s trade deadline. I have said repeatedly that it is our hope to reach an agreement with Steven on a new contract at some point, and with 27 games remaining in the season, our entire organization, Steven included, wants to focus on making the playoffs. I will keep the negotiating process strictly between the involved parties and have no further comment on the state of those negotiations.”

Steven Stamkos, 26, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008. He is from Markham, Ontario.MORE NEWS YOU MIGHT LIKE-