Steven Stamkos sells his house in Tampa Bay

The 8,516-square-foot estate was nothing more than a vacant lot when Stamkos and his wife, Sandra, bought it in 2017. The land cost Mr. and Mrs. Stamkos only $3.85 million at the time. Following the purchase, the Stamkos's designed a 6-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom bay view home, which they moved into in 2018.

The interesting thing about this story is that the house was never listed. Apparently, Allan Mezrah of Toni Everett Company in Tampa received a call about the Hillsborough County home of a Boston client, who was looking to move.

Not thinking there was any chance of a sale, Mezrah contacted Stamkos to see if he and his family would consider selling their new home. Surprisingly, Stamkos was receptive to the idea and provided Mezrah with a "moving bill" to present to his Boston-based client, John Shields and his wife Kathy. Without hesitation, the terms of the deal were accepted, according to Mezrah.

"He gave me a number and the guy met him. There's a lot of money and people moving to Florida and when they come to Tampa, they seem to want to be in the Davis Islands." - Allan Mezrah

There was no mention of what Steven and Sandra paid to build the house on the $3.85 million lot, but you have to assume that if the buyer told Stamkos to name his price, he put up the money and made a nice profit.

Perhaps the most interesting detail of the story is that the deal was apparently called off in March of this year. Stamkos reportedly told the agent and buyer that the Stamkos family would complete the deal on the condition that they could finish the Lightning's Stanley Cup playoff run and any potential celebrations that might follow.

So the Bolts captain really believed in his club... Stamkos had a buyer for his home in March, but he didn't want his Cup celebrations interrupted by a move.

But don't think this sale will push Stamkos and his family out of Tampa Bay. They will simply move to another home in the area.

"I can tell you he's not leaving the island" - Allan Mezrah

The real estate agent was quick to put an end to the rumours about the captain leaving the Florida organization. Stamkos is still under contract with the Lightning through the 2023-24 season and barring a surprise trade, he will finish his contract with the Bolts.