TAMPA, Fla. -- Loyalty, respect and the potential to win for years to come kept Steven Stamkos in Tampa Bay.The Lightning captain said Thursday that he followed his heart in re-signing with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2008 rather than testing free agency, where he likely would have commanded much more than the $68 million hes due to earn over the next eight seasons.Some people when theyre in this position chase, obviously, the most money possible, the two-time NHL scoring champion said during a conference call.For me, I realize the situation and understood that there could have been some money left out there. But for me, thats not what its all about. Its about going to an organization that I was comfortable with, and something that gave me the best chance to win in my mind, Stamkos added.It was a very tough decision. It truly was. I cant sit here and say this past week has been fun. ... It was pretty stressful, to be honest. Im glad its over with.A person with direct knowledge of how the contract is structured said Stamkos will make $9.5 million in each of the first five years of the deal, then $7.5 million in 2021-22 and $6.5 million in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because those details have not been revealed.Stamkos, who helped the Lightning reach the Eastern Conference final three times in eight seasons, cited his relationship with owner Jeff Vinik, his respect for general manager Steve Yzerman and the coaching staff, as well as a talented nucleus of players built to win for years as significant factors in his decision.Tampa Bay lost to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, then made it back to the Eastern Conference final this year before falling to Pittsburgh in seven games.Stamkos is the teams biggest star, but hardly a one-man show on a roster also featuring defenseman Victor Hedman, young forwards Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Alex Killorn, and goalie Ben Bishop.My intention all along was to hopefully work something out with Tampa. Its been a great eight years that Ive been here. ... This team is on the verge of hopefully competing for Stanley Cups for years to come, the four-time All-Star said. With me being a captain, and being the leader of that team, I felt kind of in my heart that was always the place I wanted to stay.Stamkos has won the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHLs top scorer twice, including 2011-12, when he had a career-best 60. Hes had 40-plus goals in a season four times and had a shot at doing it again this year before being sidelined in April by surgery to treat a blood clot discovered near his right collarbone.The injury kept him out of the lineup until Tampa Bays 2-1 loss to the Penguins in Game 7 of the East final.Yzerman announced the deal Wednesday night, saying he believes the 26-year-old center is entering the prime of his career and that his best years are ahead of him.Stamkos willingness to accept less money than he figured to be offered by potential suitors in free agency provides the Lightning with some flexibility in trying to keep the teams core intact in coming seasons.Were trying to put as competitive a team on the ice (as possible) and we asked Stammer, will you work us on this? This is what were trying to do. Were trying to be the best team we possibly can be, Yzerman said.Stamkos hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings were among the teams expected to make a run at the Tampa Bay captain if he had become an unrestricted free agent on Friday.I think Tampa gives me the best chance to win and be successful moving forward, Stamkos said.Obviously being there the past eight years and knowing what to expect, knowing what we have going forward with the core group of guys we have plays into the decision, he added. And for me, it was just following your heart and being loyal to an organization that has brought me up and made me the player and the person I am today.Stamkos, who has 312 goals, agreed with Yzermans assessment that hes yet to peak as player.A lot of people are going base your performance on statistics and goals and points, but I can say 100 percent that Im a better player in all areas than I was when I first entered the league, Stamkos said.Theres still lots of room to grow as a player, to get better, he added. As long as youre willing to put the work in, theres no reason why it shouldnt happen.---AP Sports Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, N.Y., contributed to this report. Cheap Nike Shox Shoes In China- Wholesale . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. Discount Nike Shox . Louis Blues. 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Starting in right field, this marks the third-straight season hes been voted in by fans. "Its a great feeling when you go to the All-Star Game," said Bautista. "Youre recognized by the fans or your peers or elected by the manager. Obviously, in my case, I got voted in by the fans. Its a great feeling when that happens. I feel very honoured, humbled and proud to be elected. I have to thank all the fans for all the votes. It takes a lot to either vote at the stadium or at home on the computer so I appreciate it a lot." In 80 games this season, Bautista has a slash line of .264/.360/.511. His 20 home runs tie Bautista for seventh in the American League with the Yankees Robinson Cano. Bautistas 52 RBI rank second on the Blue Jays and 15th in the American League. Since arriving in Toronto on August 21, 2008, Bautista has been a model of consistency. He backed up his 54-home run season in 2010 by hitting 43 in 2011. Injury cut short his 2012 campaign; still he had 27 home runs in 92 games. With good health in the second half its realistic to expect Bautista to challenge the 40-home run mark again. Originally drafted by Pittsburgh in the 20th round of the 2000 draft, Bautista spent three seasons in the Pirates organization before his selection by Baltimore in the Rule 5 draft. Bautista made his major league debut with the Orioles in 2004 but before that season would end, he had made stops in Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. Bautista remained a Pirate, experiencing moderate success, until his trade to the Blue Jays for catcher Robinson Diaz. "My hard works paying off, I just have to keep doing it," said Bautista. "But ultimately I think my success is going to be dictated with the success of my team and so far we havent been able to make it to the playoffs or play for the championship but hopefully that changes in the near future." If asked, Bautista will consider taking part in the home run derby, which is the marquee event of the festivities the day before the All-Star Game. Edwin Encarnacion, 30, is enjoying another stellar season. His 23 home runs (T-3rd, American League) and 66 RBI (3rd, American League) lead the Blue Jays. Sporting a slash line of .266/.351/.526, Encarnacion has walked almost as many times (40) as hes struck out (42). This will be Encarnacions first All-Star appearance. "For me this is big," said Encarnacion. "This is my first experience at the All-Star break and I feel very happy and I thank God to give me thhis opportunity to be at my first All-Star Game.dddddddddddd" Prior to his breakout 2012 season of 42 home runs and 110 RBI, Encarnacion had never hit more than 26 or driven in more than 68 (with Cincinnati in 2008). Quite an accomplishment for a guy who was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays, in June, 2010, less than a year after he was acquired from the Reds for Scott Rolen. "At the beginning I was always thinking about making the All-Star Game, play in the playoffs or play in the World Series," said Encarnacion. "Now its come, my first All-Star Game and my next goal is to play in the playoffs." Encarnacion doesnt plan to participate in the home run derby, even if asked, due to lingering pain in his hamstring. Cecil, 27, had legitimate reason to doubt whether hed break spring training as a member of the Blue Jays. During the final week of camp, Cecil was called into general manager Alex Anthopoulos office and informed hed pitched well enough to remain in the big leagues. After clearing that hurdle, Cecil has emerged as one of the premier setup/specialist relievers in baseball. In 44 innings (38 appearances,) he has a 1.43 ERA, has allowed only 23 hits and has struck out 50. Earlier this season, Cecil set a franchise record by facing 43-consecutive batters without allowing a hit. "I want to start out by saying that every guy in that bullpen down there deserves to be on that team," said Cecil. "I cant say enough about those guys. Theyve done a heck of a job the whole season and Im not kidding, every single one of them deserves to be in my place. But Im sure glad to be representing the Blue Jays and our bullpen down in New York City and hopefully I can represent them well." Since his breakout season when he won 15 games as a starter in 2010, Cecil has struggled to find a niche. After going 4-11 in 2011 and experiencing a confounding drop in velocity, Cecil began 2012 in the minor leagues. This season, Cecil has recovered his velocity and mixes his fastball with a knee-buckling curveball, a pitch which has proven effective against both right-handed and left-handed hitters. Meantime, reliever Steve Delabar, who turns 30 on July 17, is one of five finalists for the final American League roster spot. Hes competing with four other relievers, including the Tigers Joaquin Benoit, Tanner Scheppers of Texas, the Red Sox Koji Uehara and New Yorks David Robertson. Fan online balloting determines the winner. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons will serve as a coach on American League skipper Jim Leylands (Detroit) staff. The 84th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 16 at Citi Field in Queens, New York, the home of the New York Mets. ' ' '