NEWS » being there the past eight years and knowing

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Nico Rosbergs contract extension was never in doubt, even though he is aware another two and half years could result in more trouble between him and teammate Lewis Hamilton.?Rosberg signed a two-year deal with Mercedes ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, meaning he will be alongside Hamilton until both their contracts expire at the end of 2018. The deal had been under negotiation since the start of the year, but Wolff said he never considered replacing Rosberg with another driver.It was never in doubt that we wanted to stay with Nico and I guess it was of interest to him to stay in the best current car, he told Sky Sports. So we had the right spirit and the right momentum in those discussions but the final signature came last night.Following two collisions this season in Spain and Austria, Mercedes introduced new deterrents at Silverstone to discipline its drivers and avoid a repeat. Asked if he was confident he could keep the peace between Rosberg and Hamilton for another two and a half years, Wolff admitted there could be more tough times ahead.No, Im never confident that we are on top of the issues, he said. Its rock and roll -- or they rock the boat -- but we are conscious in that decision. We know that sometimes it can be a more bumpy road having two number one drivers in the car that keep pushing each other. It raises the performance of the car but it gives those moments where its about managing a difficult situation, so we are conscious about that.But Wolff does not envision a situation where he would need to have No.1 and No.2 drivers at Mercedes.No it was always very clear with the two of them that this is the philosophy that we will follow of having absolute equal material and equal opportunity. I dont see this happening, I hope it goes on until the end. Its exciting for us, its exciting for the fans. 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TAMPA, Fla. -- Loyalty, respect and the potential to win for years to come kept Steven Stamkos in Tampa Bay.Stamkos, the Lightning captain and a two-time NHL scoring champion, 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 probably 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, Stamkos 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.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, and 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 finals in 2015, then made it back to the Eastern Conference finals this year and fell to Pittsburgh in seven games.Stamkos is the teams biggest star but hardly a one-man show on a roster 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, Stamkos said. 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. With me being a captain and being the leader of that team, I feltt kind of in my heart that was always the place I wanted to stay.ddddddddddddtamkos has won the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHLs top scorer twice, including in 2011-12, when he had a career-best 60. He has had 40-plus goals in a season four times and had a shot to reach the mark again this year before he was sidelined in April by surgery to treat a blood clot 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 and said he believes Stamkos, 26, is entering the prime of his career and his best years are ahead of him.Stamkos willingness to accept less money than he wouldve been offered by potential suitors in free agency provides the Lightning 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 the?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.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. 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 he has yet to peak as player.A lot of people are going to 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. As long as youre willing to put the work in, theres no reason why it shouldnt happen. ' ' '