The Tampa Bay Lightning let go of franchise legend, Steven Stamkos on Monday, and on Tuesday, they started the day by making a very pointed statement by signing Victor Hedman.

Monday was a dramatic day for the NHL with record deals signed, and while many were questionable, none were more so than the Tampa Bay Lightning’s decision to let captain Steven Stamkos walk to the Nashville Predators in free agency.

Now, after handing out a big time deal to Jake Guentzel after acquiring him via trade, the team have followed it up on Tuesday by inking defenseman Victor Hedman to an extension.

It was quickly pointed out however that this was the exact deal signed by Stamkos with the Nashville Predators, in what feels like a statement from the Lightning towards arguably the team’s greatest ever player.

Victor Hedman has signed an extension with the Lightning, 4 years, 8 million.

This is identical to the contract Steven Stamkos signed with the Nashville Predators yesterday

It will likely never be known if it was an intentional move from Tampa Bay to make this announcement a day later, but given the way that GM Julien Brisebois and the team have disrespected their former captain, it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest if it was.