TAMPA, Fla. — By now, he is part of the landscape. Like bridges and beaches, Steven Stamkos is Tampa Bay.

It’s not any one thing, it is everything. He arrived as a teenage savior and somehow exceeded most expectations. He’s had a Hall of Fame career, won two Stanley Cups and walked with dignity no matter the hour or score. And 16 years later, at age 34, he is still a 40-goal threat.

All of which makes the next week complicated. The Lightning are in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season — and 11th in the Stamkos era — and the team captain is at the end of his contract. Tampa Bay has already lost role players, supporting players and bit players due to long-running salary-cap woes.

Is it possible, after 555 goals and four Eastern Conference championships, we are about to witness the final days of Stamkos in a Bolts jersey?

The consensus seems to be that it’s not probable, although it is possible. Eight years ago, Stamkos shocked the NHL world by staying in Tampa Bay instead of chasing more money in Toronto or Detroit or some equally historic hockey town. And now, because their payroll is still near the league limit, the Lightning may again ask him to accept an undervalued deal.

Stamkos seemed miffed in September that the Lightning had not yet signed him to an extension, but he’s made no public mention of it since. Sitting at his locker hours before the end of the regular season this week, he graciously evaded any attempt to pry into his thoughts.

Is it difficult, he was asked, not to ponder the possibility that his time in this room might be nearing an end?

“No,” he said firmly. “Haven’t even thought about it.”

How is that possible?

“We’re getting ready to play in the most fun part of the year, and that’s all I’m focused on right now,” Stamkos said. “Like I’ve said from the beginning, there’s nothing I can do to change the situation I’m in. So, for me, it’s pretty easy not to think about it.”

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